Alex Kennedy (British Army soldier)
Encyclopedia
Alexander Robert Kennedy MC
is a serving member of the British Army
and believed to be the youngest person to be awarded the Military Cross
since the Second World War.
Kennedy is originally from Bromsgrove
. A private
in the Mercian Regiment
, he was awarded the MC on 19 March 2010, in recognition of his efforts to aid his injured platoon commander whilst under fire during a battle in Helmand province
, Afghanistan
in June 2009.
Private Kennedy was taking part in an operation to clear hostile terrain in Garmsir
when his group was attacked by Taliban insurgents who opened fire from 100–150 metres away. Kennedy's platoon commander was shot three times below the hips. Upon reaching and attending to his commander, Kennedy then used his radio to direct fire at his attackers.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
is a serving member of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
and believed to be the youngest person to be awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
since the Second World War.
Kennedy is originally from Bromsgrove
Bromsgrove
Bromsgrove is a town in Worcestershire, England. The town is about north east of Worcester and south west of Birmingham city centre. It had a population of 29,237 in 2001 with a small ethnic minority and is in Bromsgrove District.- History :Bromsgrove is first documented in the early 9th century...
. A private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the Mercian Regiment
Mercian Regiment
The Mercian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed by the amalgamation of three existing regiments on 1 September 2007.The regiment has three regular army battalion's and one Territorial Army or reserve battalion...
, he was awarded the MC on 19 March 2010, in recognition of his efforts to aid his injured platoon commander whilst under fire during a battle in Helmand province
Helmand Province
Helmand is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Lashkar Gah. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region, providing water for irrigation....
, Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
in June 2009.
Private Kennedy was taking part in an operation to clear hostile terrain in Garmsir
Garmsir
The village of Garmsir is the center of Garmsir District in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. It is situated on the East bank of Helmand River on at 714 m altitude and 63 km South-West of Lashkar Gah. The major road at Garmsir is Route 605...
when his group was attacked by Taliban insurgents who opened fire from 100–150 metres away. Kennedy's platoon commander was shot three times below the hips. Upon reaching and attending to his commander, Kennedy then used his radio to direct fire at his attackers.
External links
- Operational Honours and Awards Citations: 19 March 2010, Ministry of DefenceMinistry of Defence (United Kingdom)The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
, includes Kennedy's citation.