Pride of British Armed Forces honoured

Warrant Officer Class 2 Benjamin Kelly, whose Military Cross is announced today, ordered his crew to remain in their vehicle and spent 30 minutes, alone, recovering Warrant Officer Class 2 Gary O'Donnell, who had just been killed while attempting to defuse an improvised explosive device.

WO2 O'Donnell received a posthumous bar to his George Medal earlier this year for his actions in Afghanistan. Now WO2 Kelly is recognised for his exceptional bravery demonstrated under the most demanding mental and physical pressures.

But his is just one of more than 100 awards for gallantry and meritorious service announced today, covering the period October 2009 to March 2009. Many of those recognised served with the 3 Commando Brigade Task Force that deployed to Afghanistan in autumn 2008, but awards also go to others involved in operations in Iraq, elsewhere overseas, and in the UK. Award recipients are primarily from the Royal Navy and Army.

See Operational Honours and Awards >>> for the full list.

Among the highest level awards announced for actions in Afghanistan are Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses for Royal Marines Lance Corporal James Malone and Marine Steven Nethery. LCpl Malone showed complete disregard for his own safety by leaving cover and advancing across open ground to rescue his troop sergeant who had become isolated in a dangerous area. His fighting prowess turned the tide of a battle and potentially saved several men from a deadly ambush.

Meanwhile Mne Nethery, as a general purpose machine gunner, took every opportunity to go above and beyond the call of duty. He ran, unarmed, under concentrated fire, to retrieve a wounded colleague, and then braved the open ground a second time to prevent vital equipment falling into enemy hands.

Another notable award goes to Commander Task Force Helmand on Op Herrick 9, Brigadier Gordon Messenger DSO OBE, who has been decorated with a Bar to his Distinguished Service Order. This is the first Bar to a DSO awarded to a member of the Naval Service since 1957, and across all three Services since 1996.

Operational Awards List 33 also includes recognition of meritorious service during the UK's now completed combat mission in Iraq. Leading these awards is former General Officer Commanding in Basra, Major General Andy Salmon, who is appointed a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George.

At today's event the award recipients will be congratulated by senior representatives of their Services: From the Royal Navy, the Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey; and from the Army, General Officer Commanding London District Major General Bill Cubitt.

Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth MP, said:

"The stories of gallantry and heroism behind many of these honours and awards are nothing short of astounding. Reading through the citations serves as a reminder, were it needed, that the UK really does have the bravest, most professional military in the world. The servicemen and women recognised today are not just the pride of the British Armed Forces, they are the pride of Britain."

A selection of honours and awards in the list follows:

AFGHANISTAN

Bar to Distinguished Service Order

Brigadier Gordon Kenneth MESSENGER DSO OBE Royal Marines

Messenger is awarded for the outstanding and inspirational command of a multi national force of 8,000 troops, and for his enormous courage and leadership, often at the front end of the operational environment.

Distinguished Service Order

Lieutenant Colonel James MORRIS Royal Marines

In the most austere environment and facing constant danger, Morris led, from the front, his Commando group of 1,000 men spread out over 40km. Frequently out on patrol, sharing and understanding the hardship faced by his troops, he tirelessly championed their welfare and wellbeing, whilst ensuring that they made a significant contribution to the wider campaign.

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph CAVANAGH The Rifles

Cavanagh was utterly tireless as commanding officer of the OMLT mentoring group. He repeatedly entered remote, insecure and dangerous areas; judging his manner and timing perfectly to deliver the necessary succor and support to his people.

Royal Red Cross

Lieutenant Commander Alison Jayne HOFMAN ARRC Queen Alexandra's Royal Navy Nursing Service

Hofman is awarded for her consistently high standards of nursing and military achievement which raised the profile of UK medicine and the Royal Naval Medical Services to all engaged in the mission and to a wide national audience.

Conspicuous Gallantry Cross

Lance Corporal James MALONE Royal Marines

Displaying a complete disregard for his own safety, Malone left cover to advance across open ground in order to collect his Troop Sergeant who had become isolated in the killing area. Malone's fighting prowess and gallantry turned the tide of the battle and led directly to the successful extraction of 10 Troop from a deadly ambush.

Marine Steven NETHERY Royal Marines

As a general purpose machine gunner, Nethery took every opportunity to go above and beyond the call of duty. He ran, unarmed, under concentrated fire to retrieve a wounded colleague, after doing so he braved the open ground a second time to prevent vital equipment falling into enemy hands. He then took it upon himself to carry the casualty over a stretch of 250m to the evacuation party. His repeated bravery undoubtedly saved lives.

Military Cross

Marine Samuel ALEXANDER Royal Marines

Alexander pushed beyond his wounded Commander and, despite being completely exposed to heavy and accurate enemy fire, remained in position, engaging multiple firing points and allowing the Fire Team to tend to a wounded man. Having exhausted his GPMG ammunition, Alexander continued to push forward and engage the enemy at close range with his pistol.

Acting Corporal John BALLANCE Royal Marines

Despite a heavy weight of enemy fire, Ballance and a comrade relentlessly cleared a route towards stricken casualties. With complete disregard for his own safety, Ballance repeatedly ran from cover into withering fire to manage the evacuation of a casualty and continue the battle.

Major Richard CANTRILL Royal Marines

Leading a Commando assault on the town of Kasnishin, Cantrill orchestrated an exemplary scheme of manoeuvre that took the initiative away from the enemy. He then led Lima Company in an assault on a known Taliban stronghold, after 3 days of continual and robust contact, during which the Company fought a tenacious and intelligent battle, the foe were neutered.

Sergeant Noel Gerard CONNOLLY Royal Marines

Connolly's quick thinking and bravery ensured that a detonation attempt by a suicide bomber was foiled. He carried out a life-saving act of gallantry and also proved to be an outstanding Troop Sergeant during all phases of war, particularly under intense enemy fire.

Sergeant Andrew LEAVER Royal Marines

Leaver's considerable presence of mind and rapid response to an extremely dangerous situation not only ensured the timely evacuation of a casualty but prevented his colleagues from being over run by the enemy or killed in the cross fire of an ambush.

Able Seaman Class 1 Kate Louise NESBITT Royal Navy

Nesbitt's actions throughout a series of offensive operations were exemplary; under fire and under pressure her commitment and courage were inspirational and made the difference between life and death. She performed in the highest traditions of her Service.

Lieutenant James Philip ADAMSON The Royal Regiment of Scotland

Adamson's supreme physical courage, combined with the calm leadership he continued to display after a very close encounter with the Taleban, were of the very highest order. His actions also neutralised an enemy flanking attack which could have resulted in casualties for his platoon.

Gunner Grant Michael GUY Royal Regiment of Artillery

Guy is awarded for his extreme bravery and utter selflessness. In spite of his junior rank, he helped the company prevail by taking charge at critical moments of a desperate situation. Guy repeatedly placed himself in extreme danger in order to extract a comrade from the killing area.

Acting Corporal Sean Michael KEENAN The Rifles

Keenan, despite receiving multiple shrapnel wounds, continued treating the wounded, in the full knowledge that his life was threatened by enemy fire. He showed immense and inspiring coolness of mind and selfless determination.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Benjamin Llewellyn KELLY The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Despite the intense pressure and the most traumatic circumstances, and in an area known to contain a significant IED threat, Kelly's selfless actions and exceptional bravery enabled the recovery of a body and minimized the risk to all remaining ISAF forces.

Acting Serjeant Mark John POWIS The Rifles

As second in command of an OMLT; with great presence of mind, inspirational courage and remarkable powers of command Powis undoubtedly saved his commander's life, and ensured the safety of his OMLT team as well as that of the ANA.

Lance Corporal Gajendra RAI The Royal Gurkha Rifles

The presence of mind, leadership and exceptional courage demonstrated by Gajendra during this prolonged and extremely dangerous CASEVAC enabled the extraction of a seriously wounded Rifleman; saved the life of a second; and allowed his Platoon to focus on regaining the initiative having been caught in a well set, perfectly executed and lethal ambush.

Sergeant Torben SORENSEN The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

After being separated by the rest of B Company Group, Sorensen and a colleague assaulted a compound alone to clear it. Sorenson incurred a 12 inch shrapnel wound but continued to move through the compound until he was sure all enemy had fled before allowing himself to be treated by the team medic.

Lance Corporal Colin James SPOONER The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Spooner's decisive action, exemplary leadership and courage as Section Commander with B Company Group contributed enormously to the successful outcome of a difficult situation. His outstanding contribution took place despite extraordinarily dangerous circumstances and the pain that resulted from the extensive shrapnel wounds he had incurred.

Distinguished Flying Cross

Lieutenant Commander Gavin Ian SIMMONITE Royal Navy

Simmonite's aircraft was so severely damaged by enemy fire that under normal circumstances it should have been landed immediately. Through his exceptional airmanship and handling skills he was able to nurse the aircraft back to a friendly location and in doing so saved both the aircraft and his crew.

Queen's Gallantry Medal

Warrant Officer Class 2 Colin Robert George GRANT Royal Logistic Corps

Throughout Operation HERRICK Grant regularly operated under the most intense pressure, his selfless actions saved numerous lives. He took pride in reducing the IED threat posed and readily placed himself in harms way to do so.

Acting Warrant Officer Class 2 John Gareth LESTER Royal Logistic Corps

Lester's capacity to operate under the most intense pressure has allowed him to function beyond the level normally expected of an IEDD operator. His leadership was one of the factors leading to the operations success and his actions were key in galvanising a coordinated response to an IED strike.

Staff Sergeant Anthony SPAMER Corps of Royal Engineers

Spamer displayed complete composure, outstanding courage and strong leadership under extremely dangerous conditions. His actions enabled the safe and timely extraction of casualties saving their lives and ensuring the safety of others in the process.

IRAQ

Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George

Major General Andrew SALMON OBE Royal Marines

The change in Basra during General Salmon's deployment was dramatic. Even the most hardened and blinkered commentators were impressed with the progress they saw. General Salmon's role in this is widely recognised throughout Basra as being pivotal.

NON-COMBATANT AWARDS

Air Force Cross

Lieutenant Commander Andrew Sidney MURRAY Royal Navy

Murray demonstrated outstanding leadership and selfless courage. Allied with his exceptional flying skills, his contribution as Pilot and Aircraft Commander of an SAR helicopter was invaluable in the success of their missions.

Queen's Gallantry Medal

Acting Chief Petty Officer Aircrewman David Paul RIGG Royal Navy

Despite the considerable risk to himself, Rigg finely balanced the need to provide emergency medical care with the pressing requirement for evacuation of a casualty in an attempt to save a life. He performed in the finest traditions of the Service.