US & UK: British soldier who saved Marine personification of our 'special relationship'

US & UK: British soldier who saved Marine personification of our 'special relationship'

The “special relationship” between the U.S. and the U.K. endures through both times of peace and times of conflict, when we most need the friendships and support of our staunchest allies. One British soldier’s story should be particularly celebrated here in the U.S., for it embodies the unmatched value of the bilateral partnership on the battlefield.

A few weeks ago Queen Elizabeth bestowed her nation’s highest military honor — the Victoria Cross, which has never before been awarded to a living solider in the Afghanistan conflict -- on British paratrooper Joshua Leakey, who risked his life multiple times to save an American Marine officer.

According to the BBC, Leakey “showed ‘complete disregard’ for his own safety during a Taliban attack in Afghanistan,” where “despite coming under fire from [20 insurgents armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades], L/Cpl Leakey twice came to the aid of a wounded U.S. Marine Corps captain and helped forces regain the initiative after they had been pinned down by fire and surrounded by insurgents…. During the battle, 11 insurgents were killed and four were wounded.”

In a statement provided by the Marine Corps, Marine Capt. Brian Bocian, the injured American officer Leakey saved, said: "The fact that he chose to leave his position to help me speaks to his courage and character …. I am happy to hear that he is being formally recognized. He deserves it."

Click link for remainder of article.


* - BBC - Victoria Cross: L/Cpl Josh Leakey recognised for valour
* - Military Times - British soldier awarded Victoria Cross for saving Marine
* - Bravest of the brave : Lance Cpl Joshua Leakey VC - Detailed description of what occurred located here.


A good story for a change...

A Hero who risked his life to save an American Marine Officer, whom he did not know and who was wounded by enemy fire, making 2 trips while coming under heavy enemy fire and rpg attacks to retrieve ammunition and weapons /supplies so he could hold the position. He stayed with the Marine until he was medevac'ed to safety.

Both men survived the ordeal and Lance Corporal Leakey was finally honored for his heroism and selfless act, being awarded the Victoria Cross - Their highest military decoration (The US equivalent would be the Medal of Honor)

To the men and women serving in uniform - American and all of our Allies

Thank You for your service.

God Bless the United States / God Save the Queen

a reply to: Xcathdra

Too bad he wasn't wearing a Go-Pro, or it doesn't seem that he was.

I would love to see footage, sounds intense!

originally posted by: doompornjunkie
a reply to: Xcathdra

Too bad he wasn't wearing a Go-Pro, or it doesn't seem that he was.

I would love to see footage, sounds intense!

I was actually thinking the very same thing.

a reply to: Xcathdra

Hiya X,

Beyond 'special relationships' and the horrors of 'warfare, there are all these stories of human endeavour and bravery. It often seems like soldiers are blamed for war when all they do is follow the calls of duty.

Leakey's interview in the video shows him to be a modest, self-effacing young man who had a situation thrust upon him and he came through it with dignity intact. Up and down the hill twice, and under fire, he deserves the medal.

In the video, he's all nerves and in combat he was all business.

When push comes to shove Xcathdra you Americans can always rely on the Brits. You are our big oversize baby When you are with American people it's always relaxed, feels like normal, there is a relationship and it shows in intense situations like the middle east wars.

Plus you make some faba cars

a reply to: Xcathdra
Nothing to do with any 'special relationship' with the US, I bet if you asked him he'd just say "I got my job done for an allied squaddie" ...could've been an Australian, French, or Polish serviceman and he would have done the same for them.
Cool bloke to have as a mate. Respect to him.

originally posted by: Kandinsky
a reply to: Xcathdra

Hiya X,

Beyond 'special relationships' and the horrors of 'warfare, there are all these stories of human endeavour and bravery. It often seems like soldiers are blamed for war when all they do is follow the calls of duty.

Leakey's interview in the video shows him to be a modest, self-effacing young man who had a situation thrust upon him and he came through it with dignity intact. Up and down the hill twice, and under fire, he deserves the medal.

In the video, he's all nerves and in combat he was all business.

Yeah you cant blame the soilders.


When you join you cant pick and choose what orders you follow. Something I dont think people understand.

They just have to do the best with what they have.




Its the politicians that are to blame,

I feel no ill will toward the average American or british serviceman.

Its Tony blair and his ilk we need to hang.

a reply to: crazyewok

I think anyone who's really looked at these things knows it has nothing to do with the politicians. All the decisions related to warfare are made behind closed doors, in scheduled cloistered meetings, and all sorts of people get to attend. They plan intended outcomes well into the future (my supposition is that they're thinking at least forty years ahead) so they can maintain the status quo with greatest ease, and channel the flow of actions within time in a way that suits them. They understand that they can't control everything, but they have a narrative, a screenplay, and then they do their best to enact the subtle actions which carefully & lawfully funnel society towards the intended goals. They readjust the balance of the status quo & ward against the forces of 'chance', by tweaking here & there in response to unexpected, random events which threaten their plans. They like to keep an eye on what's going on at all levels & in all places.

The politicians who attend the highly secretive meetings appear to be mere junior members of the club, only there to give the correct public impression, to maintain the illusion, that there's some measure of democratic control - anyone with half a brain can see that mostly, they're just the guys who smile for the camera & churn out soundbites (even though they're at the top of the ladder in ordinary societal terms). Some of the real bosses walk in plain sight, seemingly appointed as slightly less senior politicians, think tank management, masters of commerce, just to be around those who speak & raise issues of note in regards to the nation, in all fields. They probably hop from person to person, whispering in the ear & reminding them of their lines - ensuring things are progressing smoothly, in terms of general obfuscation, channelling all action towards the desired outcome.

I can't actually believe there's any sincerity or truth to be found in those who are up near the top in politics, not any more - leadership & senior posts are invariably a done deal well in advance, whether the person knows it or not, and most have been groomed more or less since birth to take up such a function - again, whether they know it or not. There are ways of controlling an outcome in a particularly clever manner, so that most decisions of the 'elected' leadership appear to be spontaneous & arising from their own mind. Elections are rigged by the manipulation & massage of public perceptions throughout the custodianship of a government, creating favourable conditions for a 'right' or 'left' government to come in, or remain in power - the voting itself would do most of the work, and then overseers can ensure the final draft looks believable.

The people who truly make the decisions? I don't think they're people, in the conventional sense.

I love the modesty of the Para, a good guy.

And with no offence at all aimed at the Marine, the 2 pictures show the difference between the Us and UK military culture., the marine is shown with a chest full of medals.

I personally despise the fact that soldiers will lay their life down for a string of ribbon.

Good story.

a reply to: Watchfull

In defense of the articles I pulled the pictures from media sources that were not included in the article (US Marine). I added that photo to the info.

The only other picture I found was the marine and the brit, same photos above, but tiny and side by side (the pictures not the soldiers).

In this case the modesty disparity came from the focus of the article, which was on the British soldier and not the marine.