BRAVO ZULU to Kate Nesbitt MC You are a STAR

At Last a REAL NAVAL HERO. ......... Well done Kate

Able Seaman Kate Nesbitt was among more than 100 service personnel who were recognised for acts of heroism during 3 Commando Brigade's deployment earlier this year.

The rating was recognised for outstanding gallantry after she went to the assistance of a soldier from 1st Bn The Rifles who had been shot in the neck during a gun battle with the Taliban.

AB Nesbitt, 21, dressed the wound and kept the soldier from losing blood while Taliban bullets and rockets flew overhead during the battle in Marjah district in Helmand, close to the provincial capital Lashkar Gah in March.

“Had she not done so this soldier would definitely have died,” a military spokesman said.

The sailor, who was deployed ashore as part of a 700 strong Royal Navy contingent bolstering the Royal Marines, smiled proudly yesterday as she received recognition for her actions at a ceremony with other troops in Plymouth.

Her citation read that throughout a series of offensive operations her actions were “exemplary”.

“Under fire and under pressure her commitment and courage were inspirational and made the difference between life and death. She performed in the highest traditions of her service.”

Female combat medics have been accompanying front line patrols at least since the Iraq invasion in 2003. Although they carry weapons they do not generally get involved in combat unless they need to defend themselves from immediate danger.

The first woman to receive a Military Cross was Michelle Norris, of the Royal Army Medical Corps, who rescued her vehicle commander while under fire in Iraq in 2006. AB Nesbitt is only the second female recipient of the MC.

Two Royal Marines were awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, an award just below the Victoria Cross, for heroic actions in Helmand.

L/Cpl Bradley Malone “displayed a complete disregard for his own safety” after he ran across open ground to rescue his sergeant during a Taliban ambush. His “fighting prowess and gallantry” turned the tide of the battle.

Mne Steven Nethery ran while unarmed under concentrated fire to retrieve a wounded colleague and then braved open ground a second time to prevent vital equipment falling into enemy hands. “His repeated bravery undoubtedly saved lives,” his citation read.

Another Royal Marine, Sgt Noel Connolly was awarded a Military Cross after saving up to 30 lives by "rugby-tackling" a suicide bomber on a motorcycle.

Other awards included a bar added to Brig Gordon Messenger’s DSO for his outstanding leadership of 3 Cdo Bde which he had to command at the last minute after its commander was injured weeks before it deployed.

Special forces troops, who were not named, received recognition for their courageous but secret work with four Military Crosses.

In total there were 16 MCs for Afghanistan, three DSOs, three Queens Gallantry Medals and 43 Mentioned in Dispatches.