January 16 2009, Trooper Mark Donaldson becomes the most recent Western Australian to receive the Victoria Cross.

The last surviving VC recipient from Western Australia, Private L. T. Starcevich, died in 1989. Trooper Donaldson becomes one of only 10 VC recipients alive today. Donaldson is also the first Australian to be awarded the VC for Australia, as opposed to the Imperial version.

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=118661

http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=544137

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24923375-601,00.html

http://curevents.org/showthread.php?p=73113

Australian PM Kevin Rudd, makes the claim that:

"Generations of school children will now know of the story of Trooper Mark Donaldson."

"It is a story of a hero, one which will be told in classrooms, workplaces and watering holes for many years to come."

Since when have school children been educated on Australian VC recipients? I certainly wasn't. We barely scratched the surface of Australia's involvement in war during my 12 years at school!

I have been guilty of it in the past, but now I cannot stand the use of "winner" as a term to describe a VC "recipient" . The Australian newspaper is guilty of this in their report.

But above all else, congratulations and thankyou Trooper Mark Donaldson VC.


Chas

Outstanding!

Thanks Chas! Yes, I agree! The use of 'winner' is something press uses here too. I'm glad I don't have a brick in my hand while I watch T.V.

Some of my co-workers have said that too, to which I reply "One doesn't WIN a medal. They EARN it."

Thanks again for sharing the story! It's always grate to hear about the allies...again, something else the press doesn't report on here..!

Thank you for sharing with us how Australia HONORs it's heroes - that his heroism would be the "Stuff of Legend" - taught in schools, and discussed around the water cooler - Donaldson definitely "earned" his VC.

In America you would be hard pressed to find more than a handful of people who can name the five postumous recipients of the Medal or Honor - Or what they did to 'earn' their MOH

Paul R. Smith - US Army
Jason Dunham - USMC
Michael Murphy - US Navy SEAL
Michael Monsoor - US Navy SEAL
The Latest Hero -
Ross McGinnis - US Army (19 years old) Jumped on a live grenade to save the lives of his comrades in a HMMWV.

To each of these and to Trooper Donaldson -

Ooh-Rah and Semper Fi All!