| MORE than 80 Royal Navy and Royal
Marines personnel have been honoured for their deeds in operations
in and off Iraq earlier this year.
Among the awards and honours bestowed by the Queen and by
the US Government is the second highest gallantry award for
acts of personal courage during the month-long conflict with
Saddam Hussein’s forces.
Royal Marine L/Cpl Justin Thomas receives the Conspicuous
Gallantry Cross for his bravery and leadership during combat
outside Basra on March 30.
The 24-year-old’s troop came under attack from a previously-hidden
enemy, leaving many of his comrades exposed. L/Cpl Thomas
climbed into his open-topped vehicle to man the machine-gun.
For the next 15 minutes he returned fire and allowed 20 colleagues
to move to safety, regroup and launch a counter-attack without
loss of British life.
The unstinting efforts of sailors involved in efforts to
recover the bodies of Fleet Air Arm crew following the tragic
collision of two Sea Kings from 849 NAS off HMS Ark Royal
have also been recognised.
Cdr Simon Tate, air engineering officer aboard HMS Ark Royal,
who headed salvage operations receives the OBE for his efforts,
while diver LS Lee Edmundson from HMS Grimsby receives the
QCVS. The diver searched the most hazardous part of the wreckage
and helped to recover the bodies of two fliers in an operation
which was both physically and emotionally draining, and was
handled with dignity and care. Ark’s chaplain Tudor
Botwood is made an MBE for the spiritual support he showed
to the carrier’s crew, particularly in the aftermath
of the accident.
Green beret Capt Paul Lynch has been awarded the Military
Cross for his leadership during the crucial assault on the
Al Faw peninsula at the beginning of the battle. His men crossed
swords with Saddam’s forces almost immediately and became
caught up in prolonged firefights where Capt Lynch’s
leadership ensured his troops fought with determination and
daring despite the extreme pressure they were under.
Acting Sgt Robert Storey receives a mention in despatches
for his leadership during the fighting in Al Faw. On March
22, his unit was set upon by an Iraqi ambush while clearing
the town. His skilful handling of his men saved lives initially,
before he moved to a highly-exposed position to personally
engage enemy troops with a machine-gun.
Senior officers have also been commended for their part in
operations. Overall RN commander Rear Admiral David Snelson
and Cdre Jamie Miller, amphibious group commander, receive
the Legion of Merit (Degree of Officer) from the United States.
Commanding officers Cdr Paul Burke, HMS Splendid, Cdr Martin
Ewence of HMS Liverpool, and HMS Richmond’s Cdr Wayne
Keble all receive OBE’s for their leadership and HMS
Ark Royal’s former CO Cdre Alan Massey is made a CBE.
The complete honours list for RN and RM personnel serving
in Operation Telic will be published in the December issue
of Navy News.
Naval Service
honours for Operation Telic |
