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| Joshua Leakey VC | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 26 2015, 02:33 AM (161 Views) | |
| AndyD | Feb 26 2015, 02:33 AM Post #1 |
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Senior Carp
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![]() The 27-year-old was among around 20 British troops and a small force of US marines ferried by two Chinook helicopters to a village south of Nowzad in Helmand, on August 22, 2013. L/Cpl Leakey's helicopter had landed near a hill outside the village, to provide protection for troops from the other helicopter who would move into the settlement. Soon after dismounting from their helicopter the troops split up and a command group came under heavy and accurate machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire, pinning them down on an exposed slope. The group spent an hour trying to get out of the deadly fire, but a US marine officer was hit in the shoulder and their communications were put out of action. L/Cpl Leakey and around six British soldiers were on the other side of the hill when they heard the gunfire and heard over the radio that someone had been shot. The citation for his medal reads: "L/Cpl Leakey, positioned on the lee of the hill, realising the seriousness of the situation and with complete disregard for his own safety, dashed across a large area of barren hillside which was now being raked with machine gun fire." "As he crested the hill, the full severity of the situation became apparent: approximately twenty enemy had surrounded two friendly machine gun teams and a mortar section" meaning they could not offer covering fire. First he moved down the hill and gave first aid to the wounded American. But realising the Taliban still had the upper hand, he set off back up the hill to get one of the machine guns back into action. When he reached the machine gun, the incoming Taliban fire was so heavy and accurate that bullets were hitting the frame. Undeterred, he picked it up and moved it to a better position to open fire. As he fired back at the fighters he could see them around 300 to 400 yards away in a half built compound. His actions spurred on those around him to fight back, but not content, he decided that a second machine gun needed to be set up on the crest of the hill. His citation reads: "Weighed down by over 60lbs of equipment, he ran to the bottom of the hill, picked up the second machine gun and climbed back up the hill again: a round trip of more than 200m on steep terrain. Drawing the majority of the enemy fire, with rounds splashing around him, L/Cpl Leakey overcame his fatigue to re site the gun and return fire." (That's three times he ran across a barren hill raked by enemy machine gun fire) His actions were a turning point in the day and the joint force began to fight back ferociously. His citation says: "Displaying gritty leadership well above that expected of his rank, L/Cpl Leakey’s actions single-handedly regained the initiative and prevented considerable loss of life, allowing a wounded US Marine officer to be evacuated. For this act of valour, L/Cpl Leakey is highly deserving of significant national recognition." More here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11435769/Para-becomes-first-living-VC-recipient-of-Afghan-war.html |
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Every morning the soul is once again as good as new, and again one offers it to one's brothers & sisters in life. | |
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| Mikhailoh | Feb 26 2015, 04:23 AM Post #2 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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Honors to the man. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| Axtremus | Feb 26 2015, 04:43 AM Post #3 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Heroic! Respect. |
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| George K | Feb 26 2015, 05:01 AM Post #4 |
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Finally
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| John D'Oh | Feb 26 2015, 05:11 AM Post #5 |
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MAMIL
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Bloody hell - that's a heck of an account. Respect is most definitely due. |
| What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket? | |
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| brenda | Feb 26 2015, 05:43 AM Post #6 |
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..............
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Amen. What composure under fire. He earned every honor. |
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“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” ~A.A. Milne | |
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| John D'Oh | Feb 26 2015, 05:50 AM Post #7 |
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MAMIL
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I believe NBC are hiring if he's interested in a career change. According to Wiki, he has a distant cousin who also got the VC in WW2, although posthumously, and another relative is the current Black Rod., an official position that goes back to the 14th century. |
| What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket? | |
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4:35 PM Jul 10