Military Cross for life-saving Medic under fire


Posted on: March 21st, 2014 by Simon No Comments

Private Wesley Masters of the Royal Army Medical CorpsA soldier who risked his life to tend to a severely wounded colleague has been awarded the Military Cross (MC) for his actions.

At first-light on the on the morning of July 4 2013, Private Wesley Masters of the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) was part of a troop that landed near an insurgent command point known as the Old School House (OSH).

After placing a colleague on the compound roof Wesley, along with the rest of the members of his troop, moved to search another target. At this point the soldier on the roof and the troop were engaged by enemy fighters who had occupied firing positions around them.

As the shooting from the insurgents became heavier and more accurate the soldier at OSH was shot in the neck, the bullet narrowly missing vital arteries. The force of the shot threw him from the compound roof.

Under-slung grenade fire

The troop was now pinned down by very heavy fire. Wesley reacted instinctively, running the gauntlet of the increasingly accurate and coordinated fire from enemy positions just 150 metres away to reach his wounded colleague.

As he sprinted the 300 metres to aid the wounded soldier, the situation became even more fraught as the insurgents started to target Wesley and the casualty with under slung grenade fire (USG) – rounds landing just four metres from them.

Private Wesley Masters of the Royal Army Medical Corps, treating fellow combatant Lance Corporal Simon Moloney.Ignoring the danger to himself, he treated the injured soldier, stabilising him enough to enable him to rejoin the fight before he was eventually evacuated with Wesley escorting him under enemy fire to the helicopter.

Wesley then rejoined the fight with his rifle for a further hour before the troop managed to safely extract from the area.

‘Professionalism’

His citation states: “Masters’ immediate and selfless act in the face of sustained enemy fire was a display of impressive valour. His gallantry was in the highest traditions of combat medic and is only surpassed by the cool headedness and professionalism he demonstrated treating his injured comrade: the margins for error were vast and the consequences could have been fatal.”

The Military Cross is the third highest level of recognition for gallantry, leadership and bravery on active operations.

The announcement was made today with the release of the latest operational honours and awards list which includes 117 personnel. The awards are principally for actions roughly during the period March to September 2013 during Operation HERRICK 18.

 

Original article written by and sourced from – army.mod.uk

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