News item | 03-04-2023 | 4:46 pm
Today, 15 (former) soldiers received a bravery award in Rotterdam for courageous and prudent actions during a military mission. They conducted operations in the Indian Ocean, Afghanistan and Cambodia under very difficult and challenging conditions.
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What is special is that one of the soldiers received 2 awards. Also, for the first time since the Second World War, a gallantry decoration was awarded for a maritime flying operation. A total of 3 Bronze Crosses, 10 Crosses of Merit and 3 Air Force Crosses have been awarded to (former) military personnel of the navy, army and air force.
Indian Ocean 2010
One of the operations was already in the news 13 years ago: ‘Navy frees crew of the hijacked ship Taipan’. To give the pirates no time to penetrate to the crew’s safe room, an action is set up under great time pressure from the frigate Hr.Ms. Trump. While the intervention team is being dropped off, the Lynx hovers over the Taipan for 1.5 minutes, in full view of the armed pirates on the bridge. One of the soldiers falls, breaks his jaw, becomes unconscious for a moment and then manages to continue.
Afghanistan 2007
On June 18, 2007, so-called Task Force Viper operators go on foot through Afghanistan’s Baluchi Valley. It is then controlled by the enemy. Viper must divert attention from the Dutch battle group. At that time, he was involved in a heavy fight in nearby Chora. Distracting the enemy succeeds. But that doesn’t go without a hitch. Air support is involved. The plane drops a bomb 142 meters away from the Dutch soldiers. The unit then runs into an ambush, struggles with running out of ammunition and a wounded squad commander.
Afghanistan 2008
Over a distance of 30 meters and under targeted enemy fire, Private Edwin moves on his own initiative to a wounded American in January 2008. Risking his life, he drags the injured man with an arterial hemorrhage back to the position where they took cover earlier.
In March of that year, Sergeant Henry envisions a vehicle driving on a buried explosive device. Before the area is checked for other explosives, Henry already goes to the vehicle and saves a colleague from a life-threatening situation. Years earlier he also saved a colleague in Cambodia.
Afghanistan 2009
Captain Jorik manages to successfully control 2 other Cougars and 2 Apache combat helicopters from his Cougar transport helicopter. Within 30 minutes they support special operations forces in capturing an important Taliban leader and his allies. In that time they also manage to pick up some fleeing fighters with 2 helicopters.
Cambodia 1993
In 1993, Marine 1st Class General Henry is thrown from his Landrover by an explosive device, along with 3 colleagues. Severely injured in the back and head, Henry goes to one of the seriously injured colleagues who crashed 30 meters away in the mine-strewn side yard. Henry carries him out of the minefield on his shoulder and helps that colleague first.
Henry was also decorated today for his action in Afghanistan.
Example for many
The exceptional actions not only had an impact on the moment itself. They continued to work in the fight against the enemy and as an example within the armed forces and Dutch society.
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Awarded by King
The king awarded the decorations. This is preceded by a careful and often years-long investigation, which focuses on qualities such as courage, policy, loyalty, initiative, insight, craftsmanship and the degree of self-sacrifice.
The decorandi received their award at the Van Ghent barracks in Rotterdam. This was done by the Minister of Defense Kajsa Ollongren and the Chief of the Armed Forces General Onno Eichelsheim.
Read the stories of the various actions.