| Mark Gregor Strang Donaldson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Trooper Mark Donaldson | |
| Allegiance |  Australia |
| Service/branch | Australian Army |
| Years of service | 2002 – Present |
| Rank | Trooper |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Australian Special Air Service Regiment |
| Battles/wars | East Timor |
| Awards | Victoria Cross for Australia |
Mark Donaldson is an Australian soldier who was given the first Victoria Cross for Australia. The is the highest medal for bravery for people in the Australian Defence Forces, replacing the Victoria Cross. He is the 97th Australian to be given the highest bravery award, and the first for 40 years.
Donaldson was given the award by the Governor General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, on January 16, 2009. The ceremony was at Government House in Canberra. Donaldson had risked his life to save nine wounded Australian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter. They had been in a group of vehicles travelling in the Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan in September, 2008. They had been hurt when the Taliban attacked them.[1]
- ↑ Woodley, Naomi (January 16, 2009). "SAS Trooper awarded first Australia Victoria Cross in 40 years". PM Radio National. ABC. Retrieved January 19, 2009.