Prime Minister John Howard congratulates Tpr X at Campbell Barracks after awarding him the Medal for Gallantry. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

Gallantry award made to trooper

The heroic actions of an SASR trooper under fire in Iraq has led to the awarding of the Medal of Gallantry.

At the SASR welcome home ceremony in Perth on May 18, Prime Minister John Howard announced the soldier, identified as Tpr X, would be awarded the medal.

The 36-year-old soldier was among the 130-plus SASR contingent to return home from Op Falconer after successfully completing an aggressive ground campaign of reconnaissance and surveillance missions in the western Iraqi desert.

He will receive the medal at a ceremony in Canberra at a date to be announced.

On arrival at Campbell Barracks, the troopers received an official handshake before being engulfed by family and friends; emotions running high as children raced into their dad’s arms, and wives, girlfriends and parents embraced their heroes for the first time in four months.

“It’s bloody good to have you back,” CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy said, as he joined CDF Gen Peter Cosgrove in praising the troopers for upholding the proud tradition of the Army and the SAS regiment.

Gen Cosgrove said he had marvelled at how their professionalism triumphed over hardship and adversity.
“There’s no prouder soldier in Australia than me,” he said.

Prime Minister John Howard expressed the highest praise and respect for the SAS force before announcing the award to Tpr X to thunderous applause.

A modest Tpr X, in speaking of the action that earned him the unexpected honour, gave the credit to his fellow SASR troopers, the weaponry and training.

“It was the last thing I expected [to receive the award],” he said.

“It definitely wasn’t an individual effort.

“The other blokes were all in there as well, helping out with the weapons and the contacts.”

During the fierce battle to capture an Iraqi missile site, Tpr X, in a long-range patrol vehicle, disregarded his own safety to protect his patrol against an Iraqi enemy force superior in numbers.

His precision fire and composure while under attack destroyed enemy vehicles, eventually forcing the remaining Iraqi soldiers to surrender and ultimately leading to the success of the task.

“They engaged us with vehicles and a variety of weapons and we managed to regain the initiative.

“The superiority of our weaponry allowed us to stay outside the effective range of theirs and engage them to neutralise the threat.”

All SASR members will receive the Infantry Combat Badge for their contribution to Op Falconer, with further awards to ADF members expected at a later date.

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