Saturday, March 22, 2014

UK: Corporal Will Mills Military Cross

From British Army:


Military Cross for Multiple Acts of Bravery

21 March 2014

A soldier who showed repeated gallantry in Afghanistan has been awarded the Military Cross.

Corporal Will Mills, aged 24, of 4th Battalion, The Rifles, was a member of the Brigade Reaction Force during Operation Herrick 18.

On his third operational tour of Afghanistan since joining the Army in 2006, he was pleased but surprised to be given such a prestigious award. Will said: “I was happy I guess but it was a bit of shock.”

After being dropped behind enemy lines by helicopters 28 times during his six-month-tour Will, from Stroud in Gloucestershire, said it was a very different experience from other tours.

He said: “In the previous tours we've been ground holding, protecting and dominating the area around where you where proving security.

“For this, we were based at Camp Bastion. We would go out and do more deliberate operations and we were actually achieving a lot more and it was a lot more enjoyable.”

[...]
  
'Exceptional courage'

In a final act of valour, within seconds of hearing a casualty report, William bolted over 250-metres of open ground under intense and accurate fire in order to give first aid to a comrade. His actions allowed the swift treatment of the casualty.

Throughout Op HERRICK 18, William led his section on 28 helicopter-assault missions into enemy strongholds.

His citation states: “Mills’ exceptional courage and frontline leadership have been an inspiration to each and every man in the BRF.”

Much more here.

 Thank you for your Service, Corporal Mills.

No comments: