NATION Civilian bid to honour Diggers
TWO former Australian soldiers rejected for bravery medals – despite support from their commanding officers – could now get civilian gongs in recognition of their operations within a secretive US- led military unit in Iraq in 2005.
Sergeant Andrew Street and Townsville’s Captain Anthony Gilchrist were branded brave but were deemed not gallant enough for their combined 180 life- risking documented missions by the Defence Department that last month turned them down for medals.
But the story went viral on social media with more than 2000 messages of support posted notably by RSL members, other military and frontline emergency responders and the pair is to now be nominated through the civilian honours system.
Both men, who left full- time Australian Defence Force service in 2006, said they were humbled by the response from strangers, a group of which from Brisbane were preparing papers for the Bravery Council to nominate the men for the Cross of Valour.
“It’s very encouraging and people are just amazed Defence wouldn’t pick it up based on one man’s decision who had nothing to do with the unit or ourselves, made up a decision to say ‘ no’,” Street said.
Mr Gilchrist, who grew up in Canberra but now lives in Townsville, said it had been a long ordeal but he was happy the story was now out there.
“Defence is a crazy world and you can either get a lot of support or people going ‘ what are these clowns on about’ so it was refreshing to see the level of support out there for it and it helps drive you on to pursue stuff,” he said yesterday.
As reported yesterday, both men were members of the USled Combined Explosive Exploitation Cell ( CEXC) tasked with uncovering and gathering evidence of the then new tactic of Improvised Explosive Devices ( IEDs).
The multiple Academy Award winning movie The Hurt Locker was based on the exploits of the unit; Australian soldiers’ involvement could only now be publicly revealed after declassification of mission files.
Despite numerous statements given orally and in writing supporting their nomination for a bravery medal, and recognition from the US military including a 2006 Bronze Star for then Capt Gilchrist, a handwritten note from one Australian commanding officer at the time stated their commendations for bravery were enough and their actions not deserved of an ADF gallantry recognition.
The note cited that, the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal had now agreed.