Australia's first ever Star of Gallantry - second only to the Victoria Cross - has been awarded to a sergeant from the Sydney-based 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Commando).

Words Brian Hartigan
Pics ADF

In issue #13 we covered this and several other awards, but did not have the space for all. So, here (right) are the abridged extra citations promised in the hard-copy magazine...

Corporal B - Medal for Gallantry
For gallantry and leadership in action.
During an operation, Corporal B's commando platoon was tasked to carry out the clearance of an anti-coalition militia sanctuary in the Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan. The platoon was partnered in support of a Coalition infantry company, which came under heavy rocket-propelled-grenade and small-arms fire on multiple flanks resulting in six wounded and one soldier killed in action, effectively halting their advance.
Through thick vegetation, facing large numbers of dispersed enemy and under heavy fire, the commando platoon commenced manoeuvring to provide assistance to the element pinned down. During this move, the commando platoon received a volley of four rockets that impacted in the centre of its position, resulting in six Australian soldiers wounded in action. Corporal B was wounded in the foot.
To regain the initiative, Corporal B's team was tasked to assault forward and clear a group of compounds from which they were receiving fire. Under daunting conditions, Corporal B completed a rapid and aggressive clearance of numerous compounds.
Throughout the afternoon, numerous and relentless probing attacks by a determined enemy followed. Corporal B displayed extraordinary leadership and courage, inspiring his team and the remainder of the platoon to repel the attacks.
He then successfully led a team to infiltrate enemy-held territory, killing several militia.
Only after the engagement had been completed, Corporal B informed his Commander of his wound.

Sergeant C - Medal for Gallantry
For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances.
During the conduct of an operation, a patrol, with Sergeant "C" as second-in-command, was tasked to establish an observation post in rugged terrain overlooking an enemy sanctuary. The insertion, by foot, took 10 hours.
During the course of the next day the patrol coordinated offensive air support against identified enemy positions.
During the afternoon, the OP became the focus of enemy who made repeated attempts by day and night to overrun and surround the position. In one incident the enemy attempted to outflank the post. Sergeant "C", without regard for his own personal safety, led a two-man team to locate and successfully kill the enemy.
Other militia later attempted to manoeuvre to attack the patrol from another flank. Sergeant C, again with little regard for his personal safety, adopted a fire position that was exposed on high ground, but which dominated the planned assault. While deliberately exposing himself to intense rifle and machine gun fire, he neutralised the lead assault elements and suppressed other attackers until offensive air support arrived.
Still under sustained fire, Sergeant C then guided indirect fire to effectively neutralise another enemy advance on his patrol's position.
His courageous and gallant actions were instrumental in regaining the initiative and allowed the successful exfiltration of the patrol on foot before dawn the next day.

Lance Corporal D - Commendation for Gallantry
For gallantry as a patrol medic during the treatment and evacuation of a wounded Australian soldier.
During an operation, Lance Corporal D's troop entered a pass in Oruzgan Province in support of a larger coalition force. As they moved north through the pass they received a large amount of fire including rocket propelled grenades, small arms and mortars. This engagement was the first major indication of a large enemy concentration in the area.
Throughout this engagement, Lance Corporal D provided fire support with his anti-armour weapon system from the side of a patrol vehicle, while receiving intense fire from the enemy.
During the engagement, a rocket-propelled grenade exploded immediately behind Lance Corporal D, seriously wounding his patrol commander. While still under heavy fire, Lance Corporal D reacted immediately and lifted his near-unconscious patrol commander into the vehicle. He manoeuvred the vehicle skilfully out of direct fire, while restraining the patrol commander who was now unconscious and in danger of falling out. In dead ground, Lance Corporal D stabilised his patrol commander and advised troop headquarters of the evacuation requirements.
Throughout the intense battle, Lance Corporal D's composure, application of skills and knowledge under extreme circumstances were instrumental in stabilising and extracting the casualty and significantly contributed to his patrol commander's successful evacuation, despite potentially life-threatening injuries.

Lance Corporal E - Medal for Gallantry
For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances.
During an operation, Lance Corporal E was employed as the patrol scout and sniper in a patrol which was tasked to establish an observation post near a pass in extremely rugged terrain overlooking an enemy sanctuary. Early in the patrol, after an arduous ten hour foot insertion, the patrol was required to coordinate offensive air support to assist a combined coalition special-forces patrol in contact with the enemy on the valley floor.
The observation post became the focus of enemy forces and repeated attempts to locate and surround the position ensued. In one particular incident, Lance Corporal E was part of a two-man team tasked to move out of their relatively secure post to locate and neutralise the militia and regain the initiative. This task was successfully achieved.
In another incident, militia attempted to attack the observation post from a different flank. Lance Corporal E again moved neutralise the threat. Realising that the forward edge of the observation post was not secure he made a decision to split the team and take up an exposed position forward of the patrol so he could effectively employ his sniper rifle. While isolated, he observed a larger group of militia advancing across open ground. Lance Corporal E effectively employed his sniper rifle to stop their advance while under accurate small-arms fire from another group.
Through his efforts, Lance Corporal E maintained the initiative and ensured that his patrol remained secure by holding this position, without support, for 20 minutes.
Lance Corporal E's actions, whilst under heavy fire, in a precarious position, threatened by a numerically superior force, are testament to his courage, tenacity and sense of duty to his patrol.

Trooper F - Medal for Gallantry
For gallantry in action in extremely hazardous conditions.
While in an overwatch position of a known enemy stronghold area, Trooper F's patrol was simultaneously engaged by at least three groups of anti-coalition militia, within close range, by machinegun and rocket-propelled grenades. At that time Trooper F, the patrol machine gunner, immediately returned fire. After firing one short burst, his vehicle-mounted machinegun malfunctioned and failed to fire automatic bursts. Despite this, Trooper F remained in the unprotected turret of his vehicle and attempted to rectify the stoppage. When he could not be rectified the fault, he dismounted from the vehicle and, without delay, began to engage enemy positions with anti-armour weapons and a grenade launcher.
Using all the available weapons systems, moving fire positions, he aggressively engaged all three anti-coalition militia fighting positions. At all times he was exposed to, yet disregarded, large volumes of fire directed at the patrol and himself.
The patrol commander observed the effectiveness of Trooper F's suppressive fire, which effectively fixed the enemy in location such that they could then be decisively engaged by other patrol members. The patrol regained the initiative and successfully countered the attack to that point.
In the lull, Trooper F returned to his vehicle's turret where he stripped machinegun and attempted to rectify the problem, without success.
Shortly after, the enemy attacked again. Under heavy fire, Trooper F remained in the turret of the vehicle and returned fire as best as possible with the machinegun, this time with single shots, re-cocking the weapon after each. He fired 150 rounds in this manner before the gun began to function correctly.
Trooper F's clear disregard for his own safety while under fire in extremely hazardous circumstances, displayed significant personal gallantry in action.