That's because we will probably never understand the bond that is formed between men in those situations every day. Nothing like a common enemy to make friends.

Even if the guy saved the world from alien invasion there would still be "he is being considered for a medal" stage when everything is investigated. They don't just hand them out like candy hehe. He will probably get some commendation or a medal, but a Victoria Cross, that's BIG!

"The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. It takes precedence over all other orders, decorations, medals and postnominals."

In line with VC's given toward the end of WW2 it would be unlikely he'd be VC'd for this. Lookup the Shropshire Lad or Unlikely Lad as he's sometimes known and you'll see what I meen. This guy was extremely brave and will most certainly get a medal, but it isnt clear that his actions swayed the course of a campaign front.

The VC really was very hard to attain by the end of WW2, and with good reason.

All VC's are made from a several centuries old Chineese canon ball, and there isnt all that much of the ball left.

However I do feel that the Labour government *want* to award a VC as a propaganda coup, and sadly for me that overshadows the whole thing because that guy, no question, is damned brave.

VC winner?
I dunno, he did put his life in jeopardy sure, but a VC for being a bit nuts?

Quote from Becky Rose :

The VC really was very hard to attain by the end of WW2, and with good reason.

All VC's are made from a several centuries old Chineese canon ball, and there isnt all that much of the ball left.

He probably wont get a VC, but he deserves one. Im pretty sure VC's are made from captured Russian cannons during the Crimean war?
My bloodline to a VC holder http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F ... Roberts,_1st_Earl_Roberts

Quote from Dajmin :

I can't believe they're even discussing whether the guy deserves the medal or not. It takes some massive melon-sized balls of depleted uranium to jump on a grenade without thinking about the consequences. Seriously, how many people do you know whose first reaction would be to run towards the thing?

When it's not your time, it's really not your time.

Other guys have risked dieing to save someone or to keep fighting - this guy wasn't risking his life, he was basically going to die, to save his friends - that shows not just balls but absolute selflessness.

Not nuts! Extreme sense of duty, comeradery and sacrifice. One life in face of three lives, it makes sense, but only few will actually do it in a split notice.

Altho there are cases where people exposed to daily possibility of death start to think they can cheat it. They do crazier and crazier things. Or a soldier who had enough of everything and wants to die, so why not die as a hero and save lives of people who you trust your life to?

Quote from Becky Rose :

However I do feel that the Labour government *want* to award a VC as a propaganda coup, and sadly for me that overshadows the whole thing because that guy, no question, is damned brave.

We need heroes!
We don't have any!
Then we will make them up!

Give him a VC? I thought we were supposed to lock people like this up in the looney bins.

He has been nomiated for VC, but he is not the only suvivor, there was a soldier in WW1 that got VC for the same thing, although the put his helmet on the grenade and stood on it, he got blown out of the trench!!!

There was a program on BBC 2 hosted by the legend Clarkson about the V.C. If I remember correctly his father in law won a V.C. but never talked about it, like many who won one did'nt either. It was amazing to see what normal men would do in the heat of battle for the men they were fighting with, it left me feeling rather patriotic.

The majority of men servering in the legendary SAS are scotish aswell, just to add to your patriotisam.