NOT WORTH A VC?
Sep 9 2004
EXCLUSIVE
By Richard Smith And Patrick Mulchrone
AN SAS hero who killed 36 Iraqis to save the life of a stricken comrade could be denied a Victoria Cross - because he survived.
The 36-year-old British soldier was recommended for the gallantry medal by his commanding officers after he single-handedly held off enemy attackers in a two-hour gun battle when his unit was ambushed.
Despite being hit by shrapnel he then carried his shot and badly wounded colleague three miles to safety.
But special forces officers fear the brave corporal will be snubbed for the highest military honour because they say senior officials usually do not not give it to survivors.
Yesterday, a former general who commanded Special Forces said: "It would appear these days it is easier to achieve sainthood than to win a Victoria Cross while you are alive.
"Getting a soldier a VC is a lottery. And getting one for a member of Special Forces, whether he is SAS or the SBS, would appear to be nigh on impossible. The people in charge are paranoid about publicity, absolutely terrified of it.
"So even if his commander were to recommend a VC, those above would get the jitters.
"To deny a man a medal because everyone is frightened of publicity is bonkers. And that appears to be what it boils down to."
Allied Special Forces Association secretary Mike Colton added: "For that extraordinary act of bravery he must have a very high award. But there have been many acts of bravery within the special forces which have gone virtually unnoticed.
"Men have been mentioned in despatches during secret wars which have saved entire nations."
A military insider said: "They will raise the bar as high as possible citing the criteria needed to achieve the honour and they can probably make it up as they go. It is another pitiful example of this politically correct world we live in.
"The only things which should be considered are the individual's conspicuous act or gallantry."
But the MoD said: "It is a faultlessly fair system. Whatever he gets will be the right level of medal."
The corporal who was recommended for the honour is a former paratrooper from Liverpool.
He and an Australian colleague came under attack at close-quarters from machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades in Baghdad when on a covert reconnaissance mission at an area heavily occupied by enemy forces engaged in terrorist activities..
Despite being under fire he gave medical aid to the Aussie, who had life-threatening injuries, while keeping the enemy at bay.
After escaping against all odds the two soldiers were finally airlifted to safety by helicopter.
In the corporal's medal recommendation his commanding officer said his "actions showed the highest level of valour and gallantry in the face of overwhelming number of enemy and in the rescue of the Australian Special Air Service Soldier".
Only one SAS officer has been awarded a Victoria Cross despite the regiment's glorious history. Dane Major Andres Lassen, 24, received the honour after his patrol was sent to cause mayhem at Lake Camacchio, Italy, in 1945.
He wiped out three positions against overwhelming odds then refused to be evacuated despite being mortally wounded.
It has been nearly 40 years since the last VC was awarded to a living recipient - Gurkha lance corporal Rambahadur Limbu. Only 11 of the medals, the first gallantry award open to all ranks, have been handed out since World War Two.
Gallantry decorations are recommended in the first instance by the individual soldier's superior officer, a squadron commander or company commander who writes a statement which goes before the commanding officer.
The final decision is made by the MoD Honours and Decorations Committee.
A spokesman said: "The recommendation goes through a checking process which can take several weeks and eventually the decision is made by the honours board which sits within the Ministry of Defence."
The corporal has spent eight years in the 22 SAS regiment - serving in D Squadron at the unit's new base in Credenhill, Hereford.
In a two-hour gun battle with terrorists, an SAS man aided a wounded comrade, despite being injured himself, killed 36 of the enemy, then fought his way out of the area, carrying the casualty for three miles.
