Sun Military Award Winners 2009

Listed below are the Award Winners and their citations.

1. Overcoming Adversity: Marine Ben McBean, 40 Commando Royal Marines, from Plymouth, Devon

Cheerfulness in adversity, courage, unselfishness and determination. These are the qualities that every Royal Marine Commando aspires to, but few have shown them all so powerfully than Marine Ben McBean. Aged just 20, Ben lost his right leg and left arm in a mine strike in Helmand province in February 2008, as well as suffering more than a hundred different shrapnel wounds all over his lower body.

Prince Harry called him "the real hero" when he flew home on the same plane as Ben, who was unconscious in a coma at the time. Since then, he has shown extraordinary determination and courage to learn to walk and function again in remarkable time, to the extent that he is now back at work with the Royal Marines. But that was not enough for Ben.

Still in significant pain from a number of follow up operations on his groin and leg stump, together with complications from two bouts of MRSA, Ben insisted on fulfilling a long-standing promise to Help For Heroes that we would run the 2009 London Marathon. Ben did this despite strong medical advice that he would not make it and do himself serious injury the week before. Not only did Ben become the first ever double amputee ever to complete the Marathon, in what must have been agonising pain through out with his leg stump openly bleeding, but he did it in a staggering time of under six hours, raising £20,000 for the wounded troops charity.

There can be no better example of overcoming adversity than Ben's incredible journey from life threatening injuries on the battlefield to completing such an awesome and inspiring feat to raise awareness for others – who he modestly describes as "less lucky than him".

Nominated by: Leighanne Hedges (acquaintance)

2. Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine: Able Seaman Kate Nesbitt, Medic attached to 1st Battalion The Rifles, from Plymouth

This brave young woman risked her own life saving my son's. Without any regard for her own safety she ran 70 yards across the battlefield after a Taliban bullet shattered his jaw and left him choking to death on his own blood. As enemy bullets continued to whizz past her, she fought for 45 minutes to keep him alive. Remaining totally focused and professional under pressure, she first stemmed the bleeding and then expertly performed a tricky procedure to open a second airway through his nose.

She displayed sheer bravery and selfless courage while under enemy fire to keep him alive. To be fired upon when you cannot fight back takes nerve. To be a target unable to defend yourself to care for someone else takes a very special type of person. These characteristics in someone so junior have been recognised by Kate being awarded the Military Cross. She is the first female sailor ever to be awarded this gallantry medal. She is an inspiration and young people like Kate make me proud to be British.

Nominated by: Debbie Merritt (mother to Corporal Jon List – whose life AB Nesbitt saved)

3. Most Outstanding Soldier: Corporal Mark Powis, 1st Battalion The Rifles, from Weston-super-Mare

Mark has recently received a Military Cross for serving as Second in Command of an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team operating with the Afghan National Army in Musa Qaleh Helmand province.

His citation reads in part 'When your commander was wounded, you demonstrated inspirational raw courage and great presence of mind. After removing the casualty to safety and ensuring that he was receiving aid, you braved enemy fire to retrieve vital equipment. You then took command, demonstrating outstanding leadership and controlled aggression that galvanised the rest of the team.

Selflessly acting as rearguard, you fought to allow the safe extraction of the team and evacuation of the seriously injured man. Five days later, after being advised of the vague location of an Improvised Explosive Device, Mark volunteered to confirm the device.

On fingertips search, he got to two foot from the bomb which was detonated by a command wire. He was left semi conscious and blind. Mark has lost approximately 20 per cent vision in both eyes and will suffer for rest of his life with eye pressure problems, cataracts and glaucoma.

Nominated by: His girlfriend

4. Most Outstanding Airman: Flight Lieutenant John Walmsley, RAF Odiham, from Edinburgh

Engaged in the most audacious aviation operations the UK has ever conducted, supporting Tommy Atkins [soldiers] is a spiritual talisman for Flight Lieutenant Walmsley and the Chinook Force. Cutting his teeth on supplying vital ammunition forward, Walmsley has suffered withering Taliban fire on numerous occasions and never wavered.

As the leader of many Para and Commando avant garde aviation assaults, he has truly taken the fight to the enemy and often into their back garden. But the casualty evacuation (casevac) mission is what motivates us the most and on 8 Jan 09 he responded to a major explosion in Hutal, Kandahar province.

Arriving first on scene, confronted by a chaotic collage of fire, bodies, appalling injuries and piercing screams, Walmsley conducted triage from the cockpit, organised clinical reception parties and directed his formation, wringing clarity from confusion.

Moments later hoofing to Kandahar at 200mph, tree top height, by night, shutting the screams from the cabin out, he raced the remaining 12 casualties to Kandahar Hospital.

Arriving minutes after the original explosions, clinicians are unanimous that the speed, competence and perseverance of Walmsley and his crew saved all 12 lives. Truly Flight Lieutenant Walmsley epitomises the spirit, dedication and courage of Chinook crew members today.

Flt Lt Walmsley is currently serving in Afghanistan.

Nominated by: Group Captain Turner

5. Best Reservist: Able Seaman Edmund Grandison, HMS Forward, Royal Naval Reserve, from Tyseley, Birmingham

Edmond (Ed) Grandison is a Birmingham taxi driver who serves in the Royal Naval Reserves.

During the early part of 2009 Ed was mobilised from his home unit HMS Forward to the Arabian Gulf as part of the Above Water Force Protection Group serving in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ship Wave Night.

The ship was on patrol off the coast of Somalia in support of Operation Atalanta [EU Counter Piracy operation] protecting merchant shipping against pirate activity.

Ed was twice called into action as a key member of the boarding party to successfully prevent pirates taking two merchant vessels.

In very tense stand-offs, Ed and his team of other Royal Navy Reservists not only protected the civilian-crewed ships but acted as a deterrent against small, fast moving pirate vessels that, for all they knew, could have opened fire on them at any minute. Ed was also onboard Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Knight when she was sent to secure the successful release of 13 Yemeni fishermen who had been held hostage in the Gulf of Aden.

He's now back at the wheel of his taxi, and I bet none of his punters have any idea that a national hero is driving them. For his outstanding service in supporting the UK's commitment to protecting World Food Programme shipping during Operation Atalanta, I nominate Seaman Reserve Edmond Grandison for a Millie award.

Nominated by: Lieutenant Commander Grassy Meadows

6. Support to the Armed Forces: The town of Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire

The town is amazing. For every serviceman killed in action and repatriated, they line the streets for them as their coffins are driven from RAF Lyneham to a hospital in Oxford. More than 150 fallen soldiers, sailors and airmen killed in Afghanistan now they have done that for, whether they know them or not.

It was started by just a few of the old and bold from the local Royal British Legion club standing with their flags lowered respectfully in silence. No matter when, No matter what they are doing, no matter what the weather, they always turned out. Then people from all the High Street shops came out to join them, and now hundreds come from all over the country.

Just ask any current, ex-Service, or family member of someone killed-in-the-line-of-duty, who has gone through Wootton Basset, why the staff and Landlady of the Cross Keys at Wootton Bassett, also deserve to be put forward. They could give you hundreds of reasons.

Wootton Bassett has done more for the morale of the Armed Forces than any other group or individual in the country. The spontaneity and selflessness of the residents' actions has demonstrated to the Armed Forces that the people of Britain do genuinely respect the commitments made by those on military operations.

This little Wiltshire town has shown a whole nation how to respect its war dead again. They have reminded us how important it is to show we appreciate their sacrifice. A Millie would be an amazing thank you present to the town for what they have done.

Nominated by: Multiple nominations

Thomo saved my life, the day five of my Riflemen were killed during a horrifying Improvised Explosive Device ambush. I was blown up on 10 July in the first of two sickening blasts. I lost my leg, half my hand, my throat had been lacerated and I was in severe trouble with other fragmentation wounds.

On returning to the Forward Operating Base on a quad bike to be evacuated, he was able to conduct an emergency tracheotomy, opening up my airway. But this wasn't a one-off – C Company had suffered in Forward Operating Bases Gibraltar and Wishtan. 

Nine killed in action and over 30 wounded in action. Thomo was on the ground during every incident and treated nearly every casualty. He has seen too much but is unshakable, a rock whose presence on patrol is a constant reassurance. We all owe him a huge debt.

On another occasion, he worked tirelessly to save Paul Mervis, who was mortally wounded by an Improvised Explosive Device. He worked under fire until Paul was extracted to the Forward Operating Base. He again conducted an intricate and demanding medical procedure that would test the most experienced A&E doctors.

A Rifleman first, he's not Royal Army Medical Corps; being a medic is a secondary role. He's now a 2 RIFLES legend.

Nominated by: Lieutenant Alex Horsfall (Platoon Commander)

8. True Grit Home: Acting Chief Petty Officer David Rigg, Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, Cornwall

On 10 November 2008, rescue helicopter winchman Rigg was scrambled to a Spanish fishing vessel with a severe casualty in a Gale Force 8.

Three hours later in atrocious conditions, they found the vessel rolling excessively, pitching and falling by 45ft; the situation was incredibly dangerous.

The only option was to lower Rigg to coordinate the evacuation. Rigg remained suspended on the winch wire for 10-15 minutes as he waited for the right moment to land. At one point, the aircraft and the vessel started to part company due to the violent sea and Rigg was recovered to reassess as time and fuel ran out.

Despite the hazard, Rigg decided to try again. 15 minutes later he landed and set to work on the critically injured casualty - his condition was worse than anticipated.

Rigg did what he could to stabilise him before taking charge of the crew. He used the deck crane to bring the stretcher up before orchestrating the transfer. Rigg spent an hour in exhausting conditions.

Back on the helicopter he continued to administer emergency care, resuscitating the casualty on five separate occasions but sadly he died in hospital. When they finally returned they had been flying for 20 hours!

Nominated by: DCM Page

9. True Grit Overseas: Sergeant Andrew McNulty, 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, Catterick, North Yorkshire

Two actions – both remarkably brave:

On 31 May 09, Sergeant McNulty was providing protection to a Combat Logistic Patrol (CLP) when it was engaged with heavy fire. At the time, his vehicle had suffered mechanical failure and he was 1km away on the rear side of a hill. He got his vehicle towed to the brow of the hill to assess the situation. Seeing the patrol was in trouble, he made the conscious and quite extraordinary decision to freewheel his vehicle into the action in order that he could bring his weapon systems to bear.

McNulty made this decision in the fullest knowledge that he would be putting himself at significant risk and that they would have no option, due to the condition of their vehicle, but to stand and fight. His arrival galvanised those around him and after a prolonged fire fight, McNulty and his crew succeeded in suppressing the enemy and ensured the safe extraction of the patrol.

Only when he was sure that the threat had subsided did he attract the attention of a nearby vehicle to tow him out of the area.

Then, on 26 July 2009, Sergeant McNulty was in the rear vehicle of a night patrol. Even with night vision devices, visibility was down to a few feet. Out of the corner of an eye McNulty spotted a Panther vehicle ahead of him had rolled into a canal.

Despite the extremely high-threat environment he stripped off his helmet and body armour and leapt into the canal. The vehicle was lying on its side in one metre of fast-moving water. He managed to open the left-hand driver's door and rip out the driver before doing the same to the rear left-hand passenger.

The two other passengers were submerged and running out of breathing space. There is no proper access between the right and left hand sides of a Panther so after getting both individuals to remove their body armour he performed a Herculean feat and pulled them both through the space the size of an A4 piece of paper.

In this instance, McNulty's quick reactions and perseverance undoubtedly saved the lives of his two colleagues.

Nominated by: Rolf Williams

10. Best Unit: 2nd Battalion The Rifles, Ballykinler, Northern Ireland

A former Rifleman writes:

It's all tens. Ten operational tours in ten years and now Herrick 10, the campaign of their and our lives. Sangin is their Area of Operations, traditionally the most attacked outpost in Helmand province – and this summer has been no different. Facing the worst odds of any unit out there, they have endured the fiercest fighting the British Army has seen in Afghanistan to date, and perhaps for 60 years. They have faced it with courage, resolve and cunning.

Time after time, young Riflemen go out the door to face Improvised Explosive Device after Improvised Explosive Device. But despite the quite staggering numbers of killed and wounded (24 killed in action and over 80 wounded in action in the Battle Group – more than any other ever to serve in Helmand so far), they have not stopped taking the fight to the enemy.

The enemy have come off second best - over 200 of them killed. On top of this, inch by inch the Riflemen have helped to edge forward progress in Sangin - new police checkpoints, over 100 new bazaar stalls.

The Battalion has stood very tall; day in, day out, in the hottest of temperatures, carrying the heaviest of loads, living in the most basic and primitive of conditions, the Battle Group has been 'on the ramparts' for six extraordinary months doing many, many extraordinary things. But most importantly, holding the line and fighting for each other. Swift and Bold.

A UK soldier in Helmand writes:

Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson has been 2 RIFLES Battle Group's Commanding Officer. It has been this man's inspirational and quite outstanding leadership that has kept the brave men and women under his command focussed, knowing that the job they have to do is right and that they will overcome the many daily challenges they face and succeed.

To be around and serve alongside a man like this, clearly at the top of his game and in his element, is humbling.

Nominated by: Multiple nominations

11. Judges' Award for Special Recognition: Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group

The Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Group is the British Bomb Disposal Unit which searches for and clears Improvised Explosive Devices and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) across Helmand province, Afghanistan. The Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is now the Taliban's weapon of choice.

This year, the unit has disposed of over 2,500 IEDs and significant quantities of UXO too.

The Group consists of EOD personnel from 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) and 11 EOD Regiment Royal Logistic Corps. These soldiers have continually been at the forefront of operations, with the infantry and armoured battle groups, in the thick of the action, searching for IEDs, responding to explosions or IED finds and conducting counter-IED operations.

During the last year the Group has trained 38,000 British, coalition and Afghan soldiers in how to find and avoid IEDs. Additionally, the Group trained the Afghan Security Forces in how to teach civilians the dangers of UXO and Taliban IEDs; educating to save lives.

The risks are high; soldiers from the Group have been killed and seriously injured carrying out one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, in some of the most demanding and arduous conditions – we lost two of the Army's very best No1 Operators in the last year while working on complex Taliban devices; Warrant Officer 2 Gaz O'Donnell and Captain Dan Shepherd. Yet each and every soldier has continued to drive on, certain in the knowledge that by risking their lives they save countless others every day.

Nominated by: A member of 49 Field Squadron (EOD) having served with the nominated unit