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Written question asked by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 9 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 March 2009. It was answered by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Thursday, 12 March 2009 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) medals for gallantry in the face of the enemy, (b) gallantry medals in other situations and (c) mentions in despatches were awarded in each of the Operation Herrick deployments.
Answer

Details of gallantry awards bestowed for Operation Herrick over the period October 2001 to September 2008 are shown in the following table:

Operation Herrick 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08
Victoria Cross 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
George Cross 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
Conspicuous Gallantry Cross 4 0 0 0 3 4 3
Distinguished Service Order 2 0 0 0 3 5 3
Distinguished Service Cross 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Military Cross 7 0 1 1 11 33 35
Distinguished Flying Cross 3 0 0 0 4 4 4
Air Force Cross 0 0 0 2 0 0 1
George Medal 2 0 0 0 1 1 2
Queen's Gallantry Medal 0 0 0 0 1 4 3
Mention in Dispatches 15 0 1 0 30 57 84
Queen's Commendation Bravery 2 1 4 0 5 2 5
Queen's Commendation Bravery in the Air 0 0 0 0 4 0 0

The Victoria Cross, Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Military Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross and Mentions in Despatches are awarded for gallantry in active operations.The George Cross, George Medal, Queen's Gallantry Medal, Air Force Cross, Queen's Commendation Bravery and Queen's Commendation Bravery in the Air are civilian or non-operational gallantry awards although these may still be awarded in theatre.The Distinguished Service Order is awarded for command/leadership in active operations.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
489 c612-3W;489 c614-6W; 263161
Session
2008-09
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations Afghanistan
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk