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Master and Commander
Posts: 1247
Location: Rockingham Western Australia | Subject: Victoria Cross (NSR)
Pretty good stuff, equivalent to your MOH!!
UNCLASSIFIED
P 160035Z JAN 09
FM CDF AUSTRALIA
TO AIG 3600
AIG 3602
RAN ALL SHORE 1/3
RAN ALL SHORE 2/3
RAN ALL SHORE 3/3
AIG 13135
AIG 3808
AIG 3818
AIG 3820
AIG 3904
BT
UNCLAS
SIC WAK
SUBJ: ORDER OF THE DAY FOR THE AWARDING OF THE VICTORIA CROSS FOR
AUSTRALIA TO TROOPER MARK GREGOR DONALDSON
1. TODAY ONE OF OUR VERY OWN HAS BEEN PRESENTED WITH THE VICTORIA
CROSS BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL. THIS IS A MOMENTOUS OCCASION FOR THE
AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE. IT HAS BEEN FORTY LONG YEARS SINCE ONE OF
OUR OWN HAS BEEN AWARDED THIS MOST ESTEEMED AND REVERED OF HONOURS.
I AM IMMENSELY PROUD TO INFORM YOU THAT TROOPER MARK GREGOR DONALDSON
, FROM 1 TROOP, 3 SQUADRON, SPECIAL AIR SERVICE REGIMENT, AUSTRALIAN
ARMY, WAS THE RECIPIENT OF THE VICTORIA CROSS FOR AUSTRALIA "FOR MOST
CONSPICUOUS ACTS OF GALLANTRY IN ACTION IN A CIRCUMSTANCE OF GREAT
PERIL IN AFGHANISTAN, AS PART OF THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS TASK GROUP
DURING OPERATION SLIPPER, ORUZGAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN".
HIS CITATION SYNOPSIS IS AS FOLLOWS. "ON 2 SEPTEMBER 2008 TROOPER
DONALDSON WAS OUTSTANDING IN THE MANNER IN WHICH HE FOUGHT DURING A
PROLONGED AND EFFECTIVE ENEMY AMBUSH. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, HE
DELIBERATELY DREW THE ENEMY'S FIRE IN ORDER TO ALLOW WOUNDED SOLDIERS
TO BE MOVED TO SAFETY. AS THE BATTLE RAGED AROUND HIM HE SAW THAT A
COALITION INTERPRETER WAS LYING MOTIONLESS ON EXPOSED GROUND. WITH
COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR HIS OWN SAFETY, ON HIS OWN INITIATIVE AND
ALONE, TROOPER DONALDSON RAN BACK EIGHTY METRES ACROSS EXPOSED GROUND
TO RESCUE THE INTERPRETER AND CARRY HIM BACK TO A VEHICLE. TROOPER
DONALDSON THEN REJOINED HIS PATROL AND CONTINUED TO ENGAGE THE ENEMY
WHILE REMAINING EXPOSED TO HEAVY ENEMY FIRE." CITATION ENDS.
TROOPER MARK DONALDSON PERFORMED AN EXTRAORDINARY ACT OF SUPREME
VALOUR. AS WE HONOUR THIS SOLDIER TODAY, I ASK ALL ADF MEMBERS TO
TAKE A MOMENT TO TRULY CONTEMPLATE HIS SELFLESS AND COURAGEOUS ACT OF
MATESHIP AND LOYALTY-NOT ONLY TO HIS FELLOW AUSSIE COMRADES BUT TO
THE AFGHANI INTERPRETER WHOSE LIFE HE UNDOUBTEDLY SAVED. WE HAVE ALL
ANSWERED THE CALL OF DUTY TO SERVE OUR NATION IN UNIFORM, BUT I AM
SURE YOU ALL AGREE THAT THIS YOUNG MAN WENT FAR ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT
CAN REASONABLY BE EXPECTED OF ANY ONE OF US.
FOR THAT REASON, WE SHOULD STAND UNITED IN OUR PRIDE AS ONE OF OUR
VERY OWN IS ADMITTED INTO THE MOST EXCLUSIVE OF MILITARY FRATERNITIES
. TROOPER DONALDSON NOW JOINS THE RANKS OF THOSE MILITARY PERSONNEL
DEEMED TO BE THE MOST GALLANT; THE MOST HEROIC; THE MOST DEVOTED. HE
JOINS A BAND OF BROTHERS SO ADMIRED FOR THEIR VALOUR, THAT THERE ARE
ONLY TEN SURVIVING MEMBERS IN THE WORLD TODAY. THAT ONE OF OUR
CURRENT SERVING MEMBERS IS NOW AMONG THEIR RANKS IS A GREAT SOURCE OF
PRIDE FOR US ALL.
AS THE HIGHEST RANKING MEMBER OF THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE, THERE
HAS BEEN NO OTHER CURRENT SERVING MEMBER I SALUTE. UNTIL NOW. THOUGH
THERE IS NO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT, TRADITION HOLDS THAT EVEN THE MOST
SENIOR OFFICER WILL SALUTE A VICTORIA CROSS RECIPIENT AS A MARK OF
THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR THEIR ACT OF VALOUR. IT WILL BE MY GREAT
HONOUR FROM THIS MOMENT FORTH TO SALUTE TROOPER MARK DONALDSON, VC.
A.G. HOUSTON, AC, AFC
AIR CHIEF MARSHAL
CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCE
BT
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Plankowner
Posts: 9165
Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: RE: Victoria Cross (NSR)
Hand Salute Trooper! |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1107
Location: Tucson AZ | Subject: RE: Victoria Cross (NSR)
I saw an article from Australian Post online and agree. Hand salute to Trooper Donaldson.
In my humble opinion, more MOHs than have been issued are rated by some of our guys in Afghanistan and Iraq, but the powers-that-be seem to be a tad stingier in vetting that honor nowadays than in wars past.
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1269
Location: Hopewell Junction NY | Subject: RE: Victoria Cross (NSR)
HAND SALUTE to your countryman.
You are justifiably proud.
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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 6180
Location: Summerville, SC | Subject: RE: Victoria Cross (NSR)
HAND SALUTE TROOPER DONALDSON!!!!  |
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 590
Location: Colton, NY | Subject: RE: Victoria Cross (NSR)
Thank God our countries have such brave men. Hand salute Trooper Donaldson |
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 877
| Subject: RE: Victoria Cross (NSR)
A photo of Trooper Donaldson, before he was awarded his VC
 (trooper_donaldson_vc_sm.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
 trooper_donaldson_vc_sm.jpg (16KB - 610 downloads)
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Plankowner
Posts: 9165
Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: So, as I read this....
.. Trooper Donaldson is the First to be awarded the VC for Australia? All others were the Imperial VC from Briton?
http://www.defence.gov.au/special_events/TPR_markDonaldson.htm
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Victoria Cross for Australia
The Victoria Cross for Australia was instituted in the Australian honours system by Letters Patent on 15 January 1991.
It replaced the British or Imperial Victoria Cross however; a Victoria Cross for Australia has not yet been awarded. |
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 877
| Subject: RE: Victoria Cross (NSR)
Yes.. first one under the new criteria.. it's also the first Victoria Cross presented to an Australian in 40 years. |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 2357
| Subject: RE: Victoria Cross (NSR)
I made a point of telling my young kids watch the news last night, to see what a REAL Hero looks like, not one of these sporting 'heroes' that society holds in high esteem ( and then wonders why they fall in such a big manner )
He may not like it, but I hope he his shown as a guiding light to our youth....and many others that need the inspiration to do something with their lives, no matter how big or small.
Maybe I can use this as a motivational pointer for a crim in my Unit who I am certain is about to go to punching stations with me soon....a heroin addict, a definite GAF attitude, angry as hell. He obviously needs something else in his life.
Blue *_*
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1107
Location: Tucson AZ | Subject: Good on yah, Blue
Good way to use real life to teach a valuable lesson. |
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 561
Location: Belleview, Fl | Subject: RE: Victoria Cross (NSR)
HAND SALUTE Trooper Donaldson,
Thank you for your service SIR!!!! |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1405
Location: Houston, TX (Best state in the US) | Subject: RE: Victoria Cross (NSR)
A true hero. Glad he's on our side.
HAND SALUTE Trooper Donaldson! |
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Victoria Cross (NSR)
