Not wanting to degrade anything and those that think he should get a VC, but, Self preservation also had to have something to do with "battling the controls"
In the case of the Soldier, he didn't have to, but did. The part of Private Beharrys action you didn't quote which was beyond what would be expected probably was
Once he had brought his vehicle to a halt outside, without thought for his own personal safety, he climbed onto the turret of the still-burning vehicle and, seemingly oblivious to the incoming enemy small arms fire, manhandled his wounded platoon commander out of the turret, off the vehicle and to the safety of a nearby warrior.
He then returned once again to his vehicle and again mounted the exposed turret to lift out the vehicle's gunner and move him to a position of safety. Exposing himself yet again to enemy fire he returned to the rear of the burning vehicle to lead the disorientated and shocked dismounts and casualties to safety. Remounting his burning vehicle for the third time, he drove it through a complex chicane and into the security of the defended perimeter of the outpost, thus denying it to the enemy.
But either way, bloody good on him, he deserves what ever they bestow on him.
