AUSTRALIAN ARMY

WARRANT OFFICER CLASS TWO ‘Z'

TO BE AWARDED THE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY

For Gallantry, as a Patrol Commander, while under intense Anti-Coalition Militia (ACM) fire and showing total disregard for his own safety he attempted on three occasions to recover a critically wounded Afghanistan National Army soldier.

During the conduct of an Operation in southern Afghanistan an Australian patrol was engaged by a numerically superior ACM element. In the lead up to this engagement WO2 "Z" was tasked, by the on-scene commander, to conduct a foot patrol to clear and secure a potentially dangerous obstacle in order to facilitate the safe passage of the Australian patrol. Whilst conducting this task WO2 "Z" commenced to secure the south-eastern sector of the obstacle choke point. In doing so, WO2 "Z" and an Afghanistan National Army soldier, were engaged by ACM at close range. This engagement resulted in the critical wounding of the ANA soldier. The decisive reaction of WO2 "Z" contributed to the early initiation of the ACM ambush which in turn prevented the remainder of the Australian element from entering the ambush killing ground.

The Australian patrol then became engaged in a sustained fire fight with the ACM for several hours. During this time WO2 "Z" made three attempts to recover the critically wounded ANA soldier whilst still under extremely heavy fire from numerous enemy positions. Unfortunately, the critically wounded ANA soldier died of his wounds before he could be recovered. WO2 "Z's" actions of gallantry and disregard for his own safety in attempting to rescue his fallen comrade in extremely hazardous circumstances displayed courage of the highest order and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.