Gallantry Awards
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: France 46
Age: 77
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SASless
I think the answer is that the Coalition inherited the War and they don't know what to do with it. They are not going to provide the resources to make a really significant difference to the status quo - but they do not feel that they can "pull out" with any dignity. The last thing they want is a Brave Soldier with a VC on the front pages of every newspaper in the land.
I think the answer is that the Coalition inherited the War and they don't know what to do with it. They are not going to provide the resources to make a really significant difference to the status quo - but they do not feel that they can "pull out" with any dignity. The last thing they want is a Brave Soldier with a VC on the front pages of every newspaper in the land.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Australia - South of where I'd like to be !
Age: 59
Posts: 4,261
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"The last thing they want is a Brave Soldier with a VC on the front pages of every newspaper in the land."
Pretty piss poor reason.
The criteria for the VC are laid down and go up through the committees.
The above does seem to fall in line with the other VC that was awarded in Iraq.
Pretty piss poor reason.
The criteria for the VC are laid down and go up through the committees.
The above does seem to fall in line with the other VC that was awarded in Iraq.
Corporal Pun gives the reason himself:
"There wasn't any choice but to fight."
If he had had the option to flee or surrender, but had carried on regardless, I expect the award would have been VC.
"There wasn't any choice but to fight."
If he had had the option to flee or surrender, but had carried on regardless, I expect the award would have been VC.
It may be that the MOD/Govt. don`t want to raise the Gurkha profile too much, as a lot are for the redundancies round,probably a disproportionate number...
If a VC is not awarded on the sole basis of the individual's deeds then it tells us more about those who decide such matters than it does of the person, and sullies what is supposed to be unsullied. Whatever their decision Cpl Pun's courage is beyond dispute and leaves me in awe of his bravery just as it did of his VC namesake. Bravest of the brave!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Australia - South of where I'd like to be !
Age: 59
Posts: 4,261
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"But why was he alone in the checkpoint?"
That was a question I also had but it seems he was not alone, 3 others were inside and he was on the roof.
In addition, 30 attackers using MG's and RPG's would have made quite a noise, and why did the 3 inside the checkpoint not come out ? Seems strange.
From some media web site
"On the roof Acting Sgt Pun was on sentry duty at a checkpoint near Babaji, in Afghanistan's Helmand province, on 17 September last year when he spotted insurgents trying to plant a bomb beside the front gate. Moments later, militants opened fire on the compound from all sides.
For more than a quarter of an hour, alone on the roof, Acting Sgt Pun fought off an onslaught from rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47s.
In total, he fired more than 400 rounds, launched 17 grenades and detonated a mine.
At one point, when an insurgent tried to climb up to his position, his rifle failed and he resorted to throwing his machine gun tripod to knock him down.
Acting Sgt Pun, who is originally from the Nepalese village of Bima, believed at the time that there were more than 30 attackers."
"The citation on his medal - which is only one level below the Victoria Cross - states that he saved the lives of three comrades who were inside the checkpoint at the time."
.
That was a question I also had but it seems he was not alone, 3 others were inside and he was on the roof.
In addition, 30 attackers using MG's and RPG's would have made quite a noise, and why did the 3 inside the checkpoint not come out ? Seems strange.
From some media web site
"On the roof Acting Sgt Pun was on sentry duty at a checkpoint near Babaji, in Afghanistan's Helmand province, on 17 September last year when he spotted insurgents trying to plant a bomb beside the front gate. Moments later, militants opened fire on the compound from all sides.
For more than a quarter of an hour, alone on the roof, Acting Sgt Pun fought off an onslaught from rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47s.
In total, he fired more than 400 rounds, launched 17 grenades and detonated a mine.
At one point, when an insurgent tried to climb up to his position, his rifle failed and he resorted to throwing his machine gun tripod to knock him down.
Acting Sgt Pun, who is originally from the Nepalese village of Bima, believed at the time that there were more than 30 attackers."
"The citation on his medal - which is only one level below the Victoria Cross - states that he saved the lives of three comrades who were inside the checkpoint at the time."
.
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...ry-awards.html
TBM Legend Have a read through this thread. If you look at my post (#10) comparing the numbers of VCs awarded during WW2 with the numbers being awarded in recent years, you will find that pro rata there is no decrease in the number of VCs being awarded by the "shiny bums". The fact is that Acting Sergeant Pun has been awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, a very rare award, and can be immensely proud of that fact.
TBM Legend Have a read through this thread. If you look at my post (#10) comparing the numbers of VCs awarded during WW2 with the numbers being awarded in recent years, you will find that pro rata there is no decrease in the number of VCs being awarded by the "shiny bums". The fact is that Acting Sergeant Pun has been awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, a very rare award, and can be immensely proud of that fact.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sounds like a VC to me !
More to the point, are he and his comrades going to be allowed to live in UK; if we can fund Wayne & Stacey 'avin a fag' on the dole lining up for burgers we can surely make room for people who have done so much for UK Ltd...
More to the point, are he and his comrades going to be allowed to live in UK; if we can fund Wayne & Stacey 'avin a fag' on the dole lining up for burgers we can surely make room for people who have done so much for UK Ltd...
I fear politics might have gotten in the way oif objectivity on this one.....no matter....this Young Man justly earned the award he received and is worthy of our respect and admiration.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Detroit MI
Age: 66
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Between SASless and Double zero is the important factor:
He, absolutely, deserves his award and it is, I believe, appropriate, (he said himself it was "fight or die")*. The bigger question is the one put forth by Double Zero. Can we find room in our ex-great country for a man like this or will his place be taken by some useless waster that will end up sucking the life out of the producing members of British society while, at the same time, hurling insults at our returning soldiers that give him the right to hurl insults at our returning soldiers?
* Not to denigrate in any way what this man did... Balls out all the way... Absolute respect to the man...
He, absolutely, deserves his award and it is, I believe, appropriate, (he said himself it was "fight or die")*. The bigger question is the one put forth by Double Zero. Can we find room in our ex-great country for a man like this or will his place be taken by some useless waster that will end up sucking the life out of the producing members of British society while, at the same time, hurling insults at our returning soldiers that give him the right to hurl insults at our returning soldiers?
* Not to denigrate in any way what this man did... Balls out all the way... Absolute respect to the man...
I fully agree with SASless..........and wonder where the original post has gone BTW, can't find it anywhere. Somebody getting jittery??
It sounds like Corporal Pun has answered all of the questions needed to have that Bronze Cross hanging on his chest. I am a descendant of a VC Holder, and as hugely proud as I am, Cpl Pun's action seems to take it up a level.
I wonder if the passage of time has had an effect on expectation and appreciation??
The lack of witnesses has been mentioned and this may well be the issue.
It sounds like Corporal Pun has answered all of the questions needed to have that Bronze Cross hanging on his chest. I am a descendant of a VC Holder, and as hugely proud as I am, Cpl Pun's action seems to take it up a level.
I wonder if the passage of time has had an effect on expectation and appreciation??
The lack of witnesses has been mentioned and this may well be the issue.
Last edited by tarantonight; 4th Jun 2011 at 18:48.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Detroit MI
Age: 66
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Mods...
I'd say the deliberate use of the "s" word in direct contravention of the recently reiterated language guidelines that our resident annoyance was clearly aware of by his participation in discussion about said guidelines at the time warrants a weeks ban don't you?
It certainly would in any of the forums I own...
I'd say the deliberate use of the "s" word in direct contravention of the recently reiterated language guidelines that our resident annoyance was clearly aware of by his participation in discussion about said guidelines at the time warrants a weeks ban don't you?
It certainly would in any of the forums I own...