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View Full Version : A Very Lucky British Marine Gets George Cross



Kathianne
07-24-2008, 09:31 AM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/7521221.stm


Grenade hero awarded George Cross

A Royal Marine who threw himself on a grenade to save his comrades' lives is to receive the George Cross.

Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher, 24, from Solihull, in the West Midlands triggered a trip wire in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in February.

He immediately dropped to the ground and lay across the grenade, being blown into the air as it went off.

The George Cross is one of the highest decorations that can be awarded for acts of gallantry.

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 acted to save his comrades in the most certain knowledge that he would not himself survive...Sir Jock Stirrup
He added: "It was incredible. I escaped with only a nose bleed and a headache."

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