Aussie Soldier Wins VC In Afghanistan

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A DIGGER who risked his own life to save an army interpreter in Afghanistan has become the first Australian to receive the Victoria Cross in more than 40 years.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Governor-General Quentin Bryce made the historic announcement today at Government House in Canberra.

Tropper Mark Donaldson received the award for his actions in Afghanistan on September 2 last year, when, under heavy fire, he ran 80 metres to save an interpreter for the coalition forces and carried him to safety under sustained and accurate shooting.

The investiture at Government House was told that on numerous occasions Trooper Donaldson deliberately drew enemy fire in order to allow wounded soldiers to be removed to safety.

"As the battle raged around him he saw that the coalition force interpreter was lying motionless on exposed ground," the governor-general's official secretary Stephen Brady told the gathering.

"With complete disregard for his own safety on his own initiative and alone, Trooper Donaldson ran back 80 metres across exposed ground to rescue the interpreter and carry him back to a vehicle.

"Trooper Donaldson then rejoined his patrol and then continued to engage the enemy while remaining exposed to heavy enemy fire."

The Victoria Cross is the highest possible award for acts of bravery in wartime, ahead of the Military Cross. Queen Victoria instituted the award in 1856 and made it retrospective to cover the Crimean War.

In 1975 it became the Victoria Cross for Australia after the imperial awards system changed.

Some 97 Australians have received the Victoria Cross for acts of bravery in the Boer War, the two World Wars, Russia and Vietnam.

The Victoria Cross is in the form of the Maltese Cross: in the centre of the medal is a lion standing upon the Royal Crown. The words "For valour" are inscribed below.

The Victoria Cross is suspended from a bar by a red ribbon. On the reverse of the cross the date of the act of bravery is inscribed, along with the name, rank, and unit of the recipient.

"This is a really good news story, even if we don't agree with our involvment in Afghanistan. "