Victorian Cross For Aussie Corporal Who Took On Taliban

The specialist sniper rushed into machine-gun fire in Shah Wali Kot in northern Kandahar on June 11 last year.

Corporal Roberts-Smith was part of a team of two dozen SAS men who were dropped off by helicopter after reports indicated Taliban fighters were about to launch an assault on a combined unit of Australian and Afghan army forces.

'Hero': Corporal Roberts-Smith rushed into enemy fire. (Photo: Aust Dept of Defence)

They immediately came under heavy fire, but the corporal's actions impressed his colleagues.

He was described as a "warrior" who "just tore into the enemy".

They said it was the most extreme example of conspicuous gallantry since Albert Jacka was awarded a VC after jumping into a trench full of Turkish soldiers at Gallipoli in 1915, killing seven of them.

He has now become Australia's most decorated soldier, having already won the Medal of Gallantry during a previous operation in the country.

The citation for bravery said he acted with total disregard for his own safety in initiating an assault against three enemy machine gun positions, despite facing superior numbers of heavily-armed insurgents.

At a presentation ceremony in the western city of Perth, Prime Minister Julia Gillard told the soldier it was "an award unsought, but completely deserved".

"Corporal Roberts-Smith, you went to Afghanistan a soldier and came back a hero. Our nation is enriched by you being among our number," she said.

The 32-year-old corporal said he was honoured and humbled.

ORIGINAL SOURCE

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