Dimensions
155 x 234 x 22mm
Meet the real heroes of Australia - today's soldiers who have been awarded medals for outstanding acts of bravery and courage.
Australians have always admired the heroic actions of our countrymen in the heat of battle. From our nation's proud history we all know of heart-stopping stories of courage from Gallipoli, Kokoda and Vietnam, and they have shaped the way we see ourselves as a nation at war. But who are today's military heroes, the real men and women of our modern elite defence forces, decorated for their unswerving duty and courage in the line of fire?
Narelle Biedermann interviewed thirteen Australian soldiers who have awarded medals in the service of their country in the last twenty-five years, and here they tell their own stories. In each of these extraordinary testimonials, each officer tells of the drama and danger, the emotional challenge, and how their training - and personal daring and fortitude - helped them to perform these feats of remarkable courage and bravery. Perhaps most revealing is that each of these proud officers were humble and self-effacing in receipt of their award - though none could deny they were strongly affected by what they saw and did.
From actions carried out in Rwanda, the Blackhawk disaster, East Timor, Afghanistan and the Gulf War, the medals achieved by these soldiers include the Medal of Gallantry awarded for acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances, the Star of Courage given for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril, and the Bravery Medal offered for acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.
