BLReed
Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2009
- Messages
- 1,676
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/03/19/us-uk-british-soldier-who-saved-marine-personification-our-special-relationship/?intcmp=latestnews
The “special relationship” between the U.S. and the U.K. endures through both times of peace and times of conflict, when we most need the friendships and support of our staunchest allies. One British soldier’s story should be particularly celebrated here in the U.S., for it embodies the unmatched value of the bilateral partnership on the battlefield.
A few weeks ago Queen Elizabeth bestowed her nation’s highest military honor — the Victoria Cross, which has been awarded only twice in the past 45 years, and never before to a living person — on British paratrooper Joshua Leakey, who risked his life multiple times to save an American Marine officer.
Leakey is credited with braving enemy fire to tend to Marine Capt. Brandon Bocian, an infantry officer, who was wounded in an hour-long firefight in Helmand province on Aug. 22, 2013. The two were part of a combined clearing operation in the region when they were pinned down.
Capt. Brandon Bocian said recently he is grateful for the actions Lance Cpl. Joshua Leakey took while their units took fire from 20 insurgents on Aug. 22, 2013. Leakey was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions. (Photo: Marine Corps)
Leakey, with "complete disregard for his own safety," tended to Bocian twice while taking fire from about 20 insurgents armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.
The “special relationship” between the U.S. and the U.K. endures through both times of peace and times of conflict, when we most need the friendships and support of our staunchest allies. One British soldier’s story should be particularly celebrated here in the U.S., for it embodies the unmatched value of the bilateral partnership on the battlefield.
A few weeks ago Queen Elizabeth bestowed her nation’s highest military honor — the Victoria Cross, which has been awarded only twice in the past 45 years, and never before to a living person — on British paratrooper Joshua Leakey, who risked his life multiple times to save an American Marine officer.
Leakey is credited with braving enemy fire to tend to Marine Capt. Brandon Bocian, an infantry officer, who was wounded in an hour-long firefight in Helmand province on Aug. 22, 2013. The two were part of a combined clearing operation in the region when they were pinned down.
Capt. Brandon Bocian said recently he is grateful for the actions Lance Cpl. Joshua Leakey took while their units took fire from 20 insurgents on Aug. 22, 2013. Leakey was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions. (Photo: Marine Corps)
Leakey, with "complete disregard for his own safety," tended to Bocian twice while taking fire from about 20 insurgents armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.
