SAS Soldiers awarded NZs second highest military honour
Dec 9, 2014 15:16:57 GMT 12
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Post by shorty on Dec 9, 2014 15:16:57 GMT 12
Two New Zealand Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers who battled insurgents in an Afghanistan hotel have been awarded the country's second-highest military honour.
The pair, who cannot be named for security reasons, were part of a group of nine SAS soldiers to be honoured at the New Zealand Gallantry Awards.
The pair were awarded the New Zealand Gallantry Star for their bravery in a firefight at the the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul on June 28, 2011.
Four of their colleagues were also honoured for action in the same incident.
The citation for the first SAS soldier, identified as Serviceman J, said he demonstrated outstanding gallantry and leadership under heavy fire from a determined enemy, contributing to the resolution of the incident and the protection of comrades and civilians.
The second soldier, Serviceman D was wounded several times during the battle but still managed to contribute to the resolution of several incidents, the protection of civilian life and defeating enemy operations, the citation said.
The Times of London reported at the time of the battle that the attack began when a bomb went off in the ballroom of the Intercontinental about 10.45pm local time.
Moments later a nine-man suicide squad burst into the hotel randomly firing machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades.
The Afghanistan police crisis response unit tried to clear the building but five insurgents made it to the roof.
More than four hours after the attack began, New Zealand SAS members swooped over the hotel in a helicopter and killed three gunmen on the roof, The Times said.
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An official told the newspaper an SAS member was wounded on board the helicopter but his injuries were not serious. A British Ministry of Interior spokesman told The Times six of of the insurgents "detonated themselves". The blast from one insurgent wounded a second SAS soldier.
It was understood he suffered shrapnel wounds to an ear.
Two more SAS personnel in the hotel fight were awarded the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration. Their citation said they demonstrated exceptional gallantry under heavy fire and one of them was wounded in the line of duty.
Two others were awarded the New Zealand Gallantry Medal for the same action.
Three other SAS soldiers were also awarded the Gallantry Medal.
Two went to men who attended an incident at the British Council Office Compound in Kabul in 2011, while the other recipient demonstrated gallantry in exposing himself to direct fire to assist a wounded comrade in a separate action..
Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said the performance of all the servicemen was of the highest order and in keeping with the finest tradition of New Zealand's military record.
"Our NZSAS personnel operate in dangerous and volatile situations and all of these men have demonstrated extreme courage in the face of a determined enemy," Brownlee said.
"I am extremely proud of the extraordinary bravery and outstanding performance of these men. Their actions reflect not only the courage and character of the individuals concerned but also the ethos, high standards and training of the unit itself."
The pair, who cannot be named for security reasons, were part of a group of nine SAS soldiers to be honoured at the New Zealand Gallantry Awards.
The pair were awarded the New Zealand Gallantry Star for their bravery in a firefight at the the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul on June 28, 2011.
Four of their colleagues were also honoured for action in the same incident.
The citation for the first SAS soldier, identified as Serviceman J, said he demonstrated outstanding gallantry and leadership under heavy fire from a determined enemy, contributing to the resolution of the incident and the protection of comrades and civilians.
The second soldier, Serviceman D was wounded several times during the battle but still managed to contribute to the resolution of several incidents, the protection of civilian life and defeating enemy operations, the citation said.
The Times of London reported at the time of the battle that the attack began when a bomb went off in the ballroom of the Intercontinental about 10.45pm local time.
Moments later a nine-man suicide squad burst into the hotel randomly firing machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades.
The Afghanistan police crisis response unit tried to clear the building but five insurgents made it to the roof.
More than four hours after the attack began, New Zealand SAS members swooped over the hotel in a helicopter and killed three gunmen on the roof, The Times said.
Ad Feedback
An official told the newspaper an SAS member was wounded on board the helicopter but his injuries were not serious. A British Ministry of Interior spokesman told The Times six of of the insurgents "detonated themselves". The blast from one insurgent wounded a second SAS soldier.
It was understood he suffered shrapnel wounds to an ear.
Two more SAS personnel in the hotel fight were awarded the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration. Their citation said they demonstrated exceptional gallantry under heavy fire and one of them was wounded in the line of duty.
Two others were awarded the New Zealand Gallantry Medal for the same action.
Three other SAS soldiers were also awarded the Gallantry Medal.
Two went to men who attended an incident at the British Council Office Compound in Kabul in 2011, while the other recipient demonstrated gallantry in exposing himself to direct fire to assist a wounded comrade in a separate action..
Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said the performance of all the servicemen was of the highest order and in keeping with the finest tradition of New Zealand's military record.
"Our NZSAS personnel operate in dangerous and volatile situations and all of these men have demonstrated extreme courage in the face of a determined enemy," Brownlee said.
"I am extremely proud of the extraordinary bravery and outstanding performance of these men. Their actions reflect not only the courage and character of the individuals concerned but also the ethos, high standards and training of the unit itself."