Two Drenthe (former) soldiers will receive a special bravery award today. They receive this award because they have “displayed courage under very difficult and challenging circumstances”.
A total of fifteen soldiers are honored at the Van Ghent barracks in Rotterdam. These are high awards that are not handed out just like that. “It is preceded by an extensive investigation, in which attention is paid to qualities such as courage, policy, loyalty, initiative, insight, craftsmanship and the degree of self-sacrifice.”
These are the Bronze Cross, the Cross of Merit and the Kite Cross. The decorations are awarded by King Willem-Alexander. Today the awards will be presented with military ceremony by Minister of Defense Kajsa Ollongren and Commander of the Armed Forces Onno Eichelsheim.
The 55-year-old Mark from Assen is one of the decorated. He has been working for the navy in Den Helder since 1986. In April 2010, he was involved in an action against Somali pirates. At the time, Mark was in a helicopter as a ‘sensor operator’ and fired on a hijacked ship.
The 35-year-old Erwin from Heiloo also receives an award. He is now a corporal out of service, but was stationed in the barracks in Havelte during his Defense period between 2006 and 2013. In 2008, as an infantry soldier in Afghanistan, he helped a shot American soldier during a firefight. He had been shot in the leg. Erwin helped him at the risk of his own life by dragging him out of the line of fire.
The ceremony is this afternoon from 2.30 pm. RTV Drenthe recently spoke with both men. You can read their stories later today.