Valour

The Victoria Cross is unique among military medals.

"Of all the orders and decorations open to members of the Australian Defence Force, the Victoria Cross remains the most honoured, the most coveted. It marks its wearer as one possessing supreme courage, a disregard for danger and complete devotion to duty."

Australian SAS soldier Mark Donaldson awarded Victoria Cross

UPDATE: Christian Kerr and staff reporters | January 16, 2009

Article from: The Australian

MARK Donaldson has become the first Australian soldier awarded the Victoria Cross in 40 years, for his "exceptional bravery" in service in Afghanistan.

Trooper Donaldson has been awarded the nation's highest military honour in a ceremony in Canberra this morning by Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

INTERACTIVE GALLERY: All the past Australian Victoria Cross winners

Trooper Donaldson was serving with the SAS in Oruzgan province in Afghanistan on September 2 last year when his unit was hit by an ambush, wounding nine Australians.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross for “most conspicuous acts of gallantry in a circumstance of great peril”, according to the citation.

“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 force interpreter was lying motionless on exposed ground.

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

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

His citation said he "displayed exceptional courage in circumstances of great peril" and saved the life of the interpreter.

Kevin Rudd described the award as “truly historic”.

“Trooper Donaldson’s bravery will forever be engraved in Australian history,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.

More Here:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24920340-601,00.html

Multimedia: Afghanistan special report

Further information:

• The Victoria Cross and Victoria Crosses at the Australian War Memorial *
  The Australian War Memorial displays 60 Victoria Crosses, the largest publicly held collection in the world.
• The Victoria Cross *
  A brief history for the Victoria Cross from the ANZAC Day Commemorative Committee