British Heroism in Afghanistan
Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher, 24, from Solihull, West Midlands, of the 40 Commando Royal Marines, is being awarded the George Cross for heroism in Afghanistan.
In February, L/Cpl Croucher was on a patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, when he hit a trip wire across the shins, which pulled the pin on a grenade booby trap. fearing for the lives of him comrades, L/Cpl Croucher warned his mates of the danger then dove on the grenade to save their lives.
L/Cpl Croucher said: "All I could do in the moment was shout out 'grenade' before diving on top of it."
His bag was crammed with equipment which cushioned the explosion. His three comrades suffered just cuts and bruises while L/Cpl Croucher was thrown in the air.
He added: "It was incredible. I escaped with only a nose bleed and a headache."
L/Cpl survived the blast with only minor injuries and has since returned to duty. None of his comrades were injured in the explosion. Croucher, a reservist, had seen action with the Royal Marines during the invasion of Iraq.
The George Cross is one of Great Britain's highest awards for combat valor. It's worth noting that his American counterparts who have behaved similarly, Ross McGinnis and SEAL Michael Monsoor, have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Sadly, those awards have been posthumous.
The BBC link above has an interview with the young Corporal. As is the norm with many such men, he attempts to pass the incident off as no big deal.
Well earned, indeed.
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