Galantry award presented following 'Friendly Fire'

[marktigger]

Last Updated: Wednesday, 25 February, 2004, 07:26 GMT

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Teenage hero gets bravery medal


Trooper Finney: the youngest to receive the George Cross
A 19-year-old soldier will become one of the youngest serviceman to receive The George Cross.
Trooper Christopher Finney from Greater Manchester, will be given the award by The Queen at Buckingham Palace for saving a comrade in the Iraq war.

It happened during a "friendly fire" attack from US warplanes near Basra in March last year.

Nearly 100 people who were involved in the Iraq War will be honoured at the investiture on Wednesday.


Others being honoured include Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge, who led the British forces in Iraq.

Hit and wounded

He will be made a Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

Trooper Finney had been in the Blues and Royals, based in Windsor, Berkshire, for less than a year.

He pulled his gunner, from the turret of a armoured vehicle as it was engulfed in flames.


Find out more about Britain's bravery medals


In pictures

But as he assisted his colleague, both were hit and wounded.

The George Cross equals the Victoria Cross as the top honour for gallantry in the armed forces.

The VC is given for bravery in the face of the enemy while the George Cross is given in other circumstances such as in Trooper Finney's case as he was under "friendly fire".

The GC was instituted in 1940 by King George VI during World War II, and is awarded only for acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger.

The investiture has been given over to those who served in Iraq.

Awards will be presented to 96 military and civilian personnel.

A second investiture of the same kind will be held next week giving a total of more than 300 honours to service men or women.




http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3518887.stm

[George W. Bush]

DARPA or whatever needs to research to eliminate blue on blue. So tragic.

[Sabre]

Simple.

Don't shoot at anything with this on:

http://www.anbg.gov.au/images/flags/union-jack.gif

Go here to look at what might be carrying the above:

http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/


There, research done. There is no excuse for western aircrews with air supremacy to be unable to identify friendly vehicles from a distance. For an A 10 pilot, screw fancy imaging equipment, just look out of the cockpit and observe the f***ing thing!

One unimpressed brit.

[DeltaWhisky58]

Don't think this resembles anything that could have been in the Iraqi ORBAT.....................

http://www.army.mod.uk/img/equipment/av/images/av_scm.jpg

Nor this

http://www.armedforces.co.uk/army/listings/armywarriorb.jpg

Or this

http://www.raf.mod.uk/raflossiemouth/Gal/images/51_7.jpg

These incidents must not happen again. OK, so we had Blue on Blues as well, Challenger 2 destroyed, Mne. Maddison KIA, but in this day and age there is no excuse whatsoever for attacking something as distinctive as a friendly aircraft or AFV.

Every one of these guys earned their visit to Buckingham Palace - we salute them.

[marktigger]

DW58 a Warrior AIFV would have been better than a recovery vehicle. :cantbeli:

take yourself to a mirror and give yourself a good talking to ;)

[DeltaWhisky58]

DW58 a Warrior AIFV would have been better than a recovery vehicle. :cantbeli:

take yourself to a mirror and give yourself a good talking to ;)

My apologies, but that came direct off the British Army website - will correct immediately.

Have now corrected, and have also given myself a bloody good hiding (loved it!) - I'm no expert on AFVs, but you would think that the official British Army website would get it right :cantbeli:

[marktigger]

Well done to Tpr Finney BTW. I just hope he can get on with being a young soldier and we don't get lurid headlines in the Tabloids when he's seen pissed with his mates down town.

He behaved in Iraq to the Highest standards of The Blues & Royals , HouseHold Cavalry and Household Div.

[marktigger]

Yep much better DW woot

[marktigger]

Trooper Finney's Citation

Trooper Finney, a young armoured vehicle driver with less than a year's service, was driving the leading Scimitar vehicle of his troop, which had been at the forefront of action against enemy armour for several hours. In the early afternoon, the two leading vehicles paused beside a levee to allow the troop leader to assess fully the situation in front. Without warning, they were engaged by a pair of Coalition Forces ground attack aircraft. Both vehicles were hit and caught fire, and ammunition began exploding inside the turrets. Trooper Finney managed to get out of his driving position and was on the way towards cover when he noticed that his vehicle's gunner was trapped in the turret. He then climbed onto the fiercely burning vehicle, at the same time placing himself at risk from enemy fire, as well as fire from the aircraft should they return. Despite the smoke and flames and exploding ammunition, he managed to haul out the injured gunner, get him off the vehicle, and move him to a safer position not far away, where he bandaged his wounds.

The troop officer, in the other Scimitar, had been wounded and there were no senior ranks to take control. Despite his relative inexperience, the shock of the attack and the all-too-obvious risk to himself, Trooper Finney recognised the need to inform his headquarters of the situation. He therefore broke cover, returned to his vehicle which was still burning, and calmly and concisely sent a lucid situation report by radio. He then returned to the injured gunner and began helping him towards a Spartan vehicle of the Royal Engineers which had moved forward to assist.

At this point, Trooper Finney noticed that both the aircraft were lining up for a second attack. Notwithstanding the impending danger, he continued to help his injured comrade towards the safety of the Spartan vehicle. Both aircraft fired their cannon and Trooper Finney was wounded in the buttocks and legs, and the gunner in the head. Despite his wounds, Trooper Finney succeeded in getting the gunner to the waiting Spartan. Then, seeing that the driver of the second Scimitar was still in the burning vehicle, Trooper Finney determined to rescue him as well. Despite his wounds and the continuing danger from exploding ammunition, he valiantly attempted to climb up onto the vehicle, but was beaten back by the combination of heat, smoke and exploding ammunition. He collapsed exhausted a short distance from the vehicle, and was recovered by the crew of the Royal Engineers' Spartan.

During these attacks and their horrifying aftermath, Trooper Finney displayed clear-headed courage and devotion to his comrades which was out of all proportion to his age and experience. Acting with complete disregard for his own safety even when wounded, his bravery was of the highest order throughout.

[Argyll]

After reading that he should have been given the VC,as he was engaged in ground combat with another country at the time,what he did was worthy of a VC,or an MC at least,instead of these fokin brass wankers gettin DSO's when the nearest they got to Combat was playing "risk" in Kuwait!!!
:bash:

[marktigger]

Argyll the GC is the second highest award for militay Bravery. First is the VC. Yes it should have been a VC but the qualification for the VC must be under 'Enemey Fire'.
He was under fire from the USAF. Though rounds comming at you can hardly be described as friendly.

[Argyll]

I thought the GC was a civilian medal?
According to some sources the DCM is the 2nd Highest to that of the VC?

No matter,as he is a bloody hero regardless!! woot

[marktigger]

it is the highest civilian award for bravery but it is also awarded to military personel look ath the number of ATO's etc who got in in Northern Ireland.

[Argyll]

Yep been doing some searchin Mark,and I read about the Military connections ;)

[DeltaWhisky58]

Imagine that..............the most highly decorated serving soldier - aged 19!

[DeltaWhisky58]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39856000/jpg/_39856714_finney_203.jpg http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/04/uk_british_medals/img/laun.jpg
Trooper Christopher Finney of the Blues and Royals - the youngest ever recipient of the George Cross at Buckingham Palace today.

Video interview
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/39515000/rm/_39515389_honours13_baldini_vi.ram

[Trident-za]

Well done Trooper Finney! Brave lad....

[jamesp]

During the war, on sky news they recorded some stuff on a hospital boat, and i'm sure they interviewed this guy. They were talking to someone who's vehicle had been hit by friendly-fire, and i'm sure it was this lad.

[Steve Andrews]

Yes, and he wasn't a happy teddy. As I remember the word "cowboy" was mentioned....

[Sabre]

Good lad:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39856000/jpg/_39856714_finney_203.jpg

If I am ever in a similar situation on operations, I only hope there is a similarly brave individual nearby to save me.

Well deserved mate. Have been drinking to you tonight.

[digrar]

You would think that a bloke flying a air to ground fighter would be squared away with his AFV recognition. Wouldn't you?

Well done to the young bloke.
I read in one of the reports that he had to expose himself to enemy fire as well as the exploding munitions from his own vehicle as well as being in the advance during a war. I think a VC would better recognise the situation the young bloke was in.

[marktigger]

The op telic campaign medal big pictures


Campaign Medal for Operation Telic


The obverse of the Iraq Medal
(Click here for hi-res photo)


The reverse of the Iraq Medal
(Click here for hi-res photo)



The Ministry of Defence announce on 23 February 2004 the qualifying criteria for the campaign medal recognising service during Operation Telic from. The Iraq Medal marks service in, and in support of, operations in Iraq from 20 January 2003, and can be awarded to UK Armed Forces and civilian personnel, including embedded media, and certain foreign nationals assigned to the operation.

Service personnel and MOD civilians who died during their service in Kuwait or Iraq automatically qualify for posthumous award of the medal. Personnel who served on the operation between 19 March and 28 April 2003 may also qualify for a clasp, inscribed "19 MAR - 28 APR 2003" to be worn on the medal ribbon. The area of operations has been divided into Zone One (Iraq and Kuwait) and Zone Two (elsewhere in the Gulf region in support of the operation) for determining eligibility.

The qualifying periods of service are:

Campaign Medal with Clasp "19 MAR - 28 APR 2003":

Zone One (Iraq and Kuwait)- 7 days continuous service during period 19 March 2003 to 28 April 2003
Aircrew based outside but flying two or more sorties into Zone One during period 19 March 2003 to 28 April 2003
Campaign Medal without Clasp:

Personnel in Zone One (Iraq) not completing 7 days service during period 19 March 2003 to 28 April 2003, but with 30 days continuous service between 20 January 2003 and 24 March 2003, or 30 days continuous service from 23 April 2003 to a date to be notified.
Personnel in Zone One (Kuwait) not completing 7 days service during period 19 March 2003 to 28 April 2003, but with 30 days continuous service between 20 January 2003 and 24 March 2003, or 30 days continuous service from 23 April 2003 to 10 August 2003.
Personnel with 30 days continuous service in Zone Two between 20 January 2003 and 28 April 2003.
Aircrew based outside both Zones One and Two but with 30 sorties flown into the Zones at a rate of not more than one per day, during the period 20 January 2003 to 28 April 2003.
Aircrew based outside of Iraq but flying 10 sorties into Iraq from 28 April 2003 to a date to be notifed, at a rate of not more than one per day.
The medal is made of cupro-nickel and bears on the obverse the crowned image of Her Majesty The Queen. The reverse shows an ancient Assyrian Lamussu sculpture above the word Iraq. The one-and-a-quarter inch wide ribbon is a sand colour with three central stripes of black, white and red. The first medals are expected to be available for issue in the spring of 2004.



http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/images/honours/iraq_medal_obv_hr.jpg
http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/images/honours/iraq_medal_rev_hr.jpg

[DeltaWhisky58]

You would think that a bloke flying a air to ground fighter would be squared away with his AFV recognition. Wouldn't you?

Well done to the young bloke.
I read in one of the reports that he had to expose himself to enemy fire as well as the exploding munitions from his own vehicle as well as being in the advance during a war. I think a VC would better recognise the situation the young bloke was in.

I believe that Tpr. Finney was originally cited for the VC, however the VC is only awarded for extreme bravery under ememy fire. These Brits were under severe attack from an allied aircraft manned by a poorly-trained cowboy, who despite being a supposed specialist in ani-armour missions, didn't reconnise AFVs from his primary ally which were carrying all of the correct identification markings together with the Union Flag.

[TALOS]

I dont disagree that we need better protection from blue on blue, after all we lost 4 in A-stan to a similar thing, but I think its bizarre how people love to say that it impossible to make those errors with all the markings etc... we werent there and dont know what the visibility or any of the other factors were. Point of the matter, Finny is a hero, the rest will be reveiwed by the appropriate people.

[jamesp]

There was a documentary on tv once about when that A-10 destroyed those british warriors during the first war. It had the transcripts from the pilot's radio during the attack. He sounded really distraught after he found out they were British, I kinda felt sorry for him.

[DeltaWhisky58]

There was a documentary on tv once about when that A-10 destroyed those british warriors during the first war. It had the transcripts from the pilot's radio during the attack. He sounded really distraught after he found out they were British, I kinda felt sorry for him.

I felt sorry for the guys that ****-head had killed and maimed!

[marktigger]

Here Here DW58 action taken against him 0 result of offical enquiry UK troops in wrong no blame attached to US forces and lessons learned 0

[jamesp]

There was a documentary on tv once about when that A-10 destroyed those british warriors during the first war. It had the transcripts from the pilot's radio during the attack. He sounded really distraught after he found out they were British, I kinda felt sorry for him.

I felt sorry for the guys that ****-head had killed and maimed!


Yeah, I dont mean I forgive him for killing Brit's or whatever, but he was told that there was no allies in the area, and he asked
several times to confirm there was no allies in the area. And after he attacked he was told it had been friendly fire. Imagine
how you would feel if you just found out you killed your own allies. That's why I said I felt sorry for him. I'm still pissed off at friendly fire of any sort.

[TALOS]

There was a documentary on tv once about when that A-10 destroyed those british warriors during the first war. It had the transcripts from the pilot's radio during the attack. He sounded really distraught after he found out they were British, I kinda felt sorry for him.

I felt sorry for the guys that ****-head had killed and maimed!
Wow man, I dont know about you but I'm not perfect, you better hope you never get put in a position where might screw something up because by your reconning there is no such thing as forgiveness for errors. The pilot obviously did not intentionally attack "friendlies"

[DeltaWhisky58]

I agree with what both Talos and James SP say, however the Warrior incident in which nine British squaddies died was in 1991 - further incidents happened in GW1, in Afg., and several in GW2 - it would appear that lessons haven't been learned.