The first woman in the Royal Navy to be awarded the Military Cross collected her bravery medal today from Buckingham Palace today.
Medical Assistant Kate Nesbitt was honoured for her heroism by the Prince of Wales.
The 21-year-old from Plymouth, Devon, braved Taliban fire to tend to a comrade shot in the neck during a gun battle in Afghanistan in March.
She dressed the wound on L/Cpl John List's neck and kept him from losing blood while bullets and rockets flew overhead in Marjah district in Helmand.
L/Cpl List later said that the actions of MA Nesbitt has saved his life.
Her citation said: 'Under fire and under pressure her commitment and courage were inspirational and made the difference between life and death.
'She performed in the highest traditions of her service.'
She said today: 'When it all happened we were in the middle of an operation but I wouldn't in a million years have thought anyone would follow it up. It was the biggest shock when I got the news.
It made it all seem real being here today. It has been so special. When I looked over and saw my mum and dad in the audience, it was the proudest day of my life.
'I was really overwhelmed that they trusted me to do the job and never doubted me at all, that's what was important. I just did what I'm sure everyone else would have done for me.'
Her citation said: 'Under fire and under pressure her commitment and courage were inspirational and made the difference between life and death. She performed in the highest traditions of her service.'
MA Nesbitt is now working in the Surgical Assessment Unit at the Military Hospital Unit Derriford.
She is only the second woman in the Armed Forces to receive the medal. The first was Michelle Norris, of the Royal Army Medical Corps, who saved the life of a colleague during a fierce battle in Iraq in 2006.
Pte Norris, then 19, climbed on top of an armoured vehicle to reach her commander who who had been shot in the mouth.
Also honoured at this morning's ceremony was RAF Lieutenant Commander Andrew Murray - who rescued climbers caught in an avalanche on Buachaille Etive Mor, Glencoe in Scotland, in January.
His citation said he 'demonstrated outstanding leadership and selfless courage' and 'exceptional flying skills'.
Also honoured for his bravery was Lance Corporal Colin Spooner, who carried on giving orders even after receiving 48 shrapnel wounds when a mortar round landed behind him in Afghanistan.
The 22-year-old soldier from Selby, North Yorkshire, refused to be carried back to his transport by his colleagues, fearing that the burden would put his men at risk, and instead insisted on walking.
'I realised I'd been hurt and I got dragged into a building and treated. I carried on giving orders. It would have taken four blokes to carry me out but I knew we were still engaged so I walked. That's what did most of the damage, but I'd do the same again.'
