MCpl. Tyler Latta recognised as a Hero

From Ottawa Citizen:

Canadian soldier praised for bravery in Taliban attack

Tyler Latta, 28, 'seized the moment' in repelling assault on NATO headquarters in Kabul, colonel says

By Matthew Fisher, Ottawa Citizen February 20, 2012

Kandahar combat veteran Master Cpl. Tyler Latta of Edmonton and St. Thomas, Ont., has been praised by senior Canadian commanders for the heroic role he played last September in Kabul in helping to repel the Taliban's biggest coordinated attack since they were ousted from power in 2001.

"It was a quintessentially Canadian moment with Latta leading the charge," said Col.

Pete Dawe, who commands more than 900 Canadian trainers tasked since late last spring with advising the Afghan army. "He could have hunkered down in a bunker but he risked rushing to the wall because nobody else was there and when he got there he fired and controlled the orders."

Latta is 28 years old, on his third Afghan tour and "wise beyond his years," his colonel said. "He seized the moment and shone. Other coalition forces looked to him for classic combat leadership."

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