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At random: Alexander the Great (356 to 323 B.C.) ruler of Macedonia and conqueror of the known world in his time, is the first person known to have descended into the sea in a vessel of any kind. |
Victoria Cross (NSR) Moderators: Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page] | |
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iPOD |
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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 | ||
Ric |
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Plankowner Posts: 9165 Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: RE: Victoria Cross (NSR) Hand Salute Trooper! | ||
Flapper |
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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. | ||
PaulR |
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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. | ||
Ralph Luther |
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COMSUBBBS Posts: 6180 Location: Summerville, SC | Subject: RE: Victoria Cross (NSR) HAND SALUTE TROOPER DONALDSON!!!! | ||
Sid Harrison |
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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 | ||
Jim M. |
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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 - 618 downloads) | ||
Ric |
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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. | ||
Jim M. |
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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. | ||
Blue from West Oz |
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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 *_* | ||
Flapper |
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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. | ||
Darrin |
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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!!!! | ||
Stoops |
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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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