Fallen SAS soldiers' families honoured

The families of two Special Air Service soldiers killed in Afghanistan were presented with the New Zealand Memorial Cross on 31st March 2012.

The Memorial Crosses were presented to the families of Corporal Doug Grant and Lance Corporal Leon Smith by Prime Minister John Key at a private ceremony at SAS headquarters at Papakura Military Camp. The medal is given to family members of personnel who lose their lives during, or as a result of, operational service outside New Zealand.

Grant was shot by the Taliban while attempting to free captives held in the British Counsel offices in Kabul on 19th August 2011. Smith was killed on 28th September 2011 after being struck by a Taliban bullet while securing a compound in Kabul.

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Posthumous Bravery Medal for Para who died saving friend

The family of British Parachute Regiment Private Martin Bell, killed in Afghanistan while saving the life of a wounded colleague, have received the George Medal on his behalf from Her Majesty The Queen.

Private Bell ignored an order not to move from the safety of his position to help an injured colleague. His actions saved the life of the other soldier but a hidden bomb took the life of Private Bell.

The George Medal is usually a civilian award, but can be given to members of the armed forces for "acts for which military honours would not usually be granted"; for example, acts of great bravery when not in the presence of the enemy.

Pte Bell's citation read: "Judging the needs of the critically injured casualty greater than his own life, and in an act of supreme selflessness, Private Bell ran to the casualty in order to render him immediate aid."

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US Army Spc. Jesse Snow posthumously awarded Silver Star

US Army Spc. Jesse A. Snow, who was killed in action in Afghanistan last year on 14th November, has been posthumously awarded the Silver Star.

Spc. Snow's family received the award for "his courageous and selfless actions in saving the lives of three fellow brothers in arms and solely denying the enemy the ability to capture any American soldiers," the US Air Force said at the ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Click here to read full report at Dayton Daily News