Britain's newest hero is a Nepali.
Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday awarded Britain's second-highest award for bravery, the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, to Acting Sgt. Dipprasad Pun of the Royal Gurkha Rifles.
While stationed as a lone sentry at a checkpoint in Afghanistan's Helmand province on September 17, Pun fended off an attack by up to 30 Taliban fighters.
"There were many Taliban around me," Pun said in an interview with British Forces News. "I thought they are definitely going to kill me. ... I thought before they kill me I have to kill some of them."
During the 15-minute battle, Pun fired more than 400 rounds of ammunition, detonated 17 grenades and a mine and even threw his gun tripod at a Taliban fighter climbing toward his position, according to British Forces News.
"He was just about to climb up there and I hit (him) with my tripod and he fell down again," Pun told British Forces News.
Pun's actions saved the lives of three fellow soldiers at the checkpoint and were the "bravest seen in his battalion over two hard tours in Afghanistan," according to his medal citation.
Pun was not wounded in the firefight.
“That he survived unscathed is simply incredible," his medal citation says. “Throughout Dip’s actions he was under almost constant intense fire. Dip’s courage and gallantry were simply astonishing."
Pun, 31, joined the British military in 2000 and also has served in Bosnia and Kosovo.
Like other Gurkhas, Pun is from Nepal. The Gurkhas were incorporated into British forces after their fighting skill impressed the opposition British during the Nepal Wars of 1814 to 1816. As part of the peace treaty ending that conflict, Gurkhas were admitted into East India Company's army and then into the British military.
Gurkhas recruited solely in Nepal remain Nepalese citizens during their service. Gurkha unit officers are British.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Because he is a non-British citizen, he was not awarded the Victoria Cross. If there was a British Soldier (by birth) that did the same thing he, not she (because women are forbidden in combat) would be all over the news and celebrated. Still showing the same old Colonial mentality to the world.
Untrue. Pte Johnson Beharry, an Iraq War recipient of the VC was born in Grenada, not Britain.
You don't know what you're talking about. Colonial troops have been eligible since 1867...Indian troops since 1911...and many have been awarded to Gurkhas in the past.
Ayo Gurkhali!!
Oh please. There have been Gurkha VCs before and there will be again – they are spectacular soldiers and most people in the UK think very highly of them indeed. I come from Kent near where they're currently garrisoned and met a few – brilliant people. Lots of squaddies can only praise them, too.
The reason he wasn't awarded the VC is because virtually nobody is, although the last guy – Pte. Beharry – was actually from Grenada, a former colony! To be awarded a VC you generally need to be saving somebody else's life under heavy fire at huge personal risk above and beyond the call of duty.
James? Is that you??
Proud to be Nepalese. Gurkhas are brave of the bravest..
eat your heart out Rambo
Pat Tillman couldn't even hold off his own fellow soldiers ... !
You're stupid.
@brent....maybe, but one thing that we all know for sure with 100% certainty is that he is 100% CORRECT! you think he is stupid? go and ask the Tillmans!
to be fair, i'd rather face 30 taliban armed with cold war era weapons and no formal trraining than a squad of US marines with top of the range guns and body armour
Wow! A true hero and one courageous man! From across the pond, we Americans salute you!!!
Agreed!
Much respect but apparently he was only awarded the 2nd highest award for bravery, what do you have to do to get the highest award? Isn't holding off 30 men by yourself enough?
This guy is great ! Dosen't he look like Hines Ward in a different uniform?
yeh except Heinz Ward sux.
I thought at first it was Hines I am like this man can do it all good story.
Give me a dozen of this soldier and I'll rule the world. Mwwwaaaa.
Two words: James Bond
Duke Nukem!
Acting Serjeant Pun was absolutely Lucky, He should keep it up.
So... what happened to the Taliban... did they all get killed, did reinforcement come to help, or did some escape?
big ups to this chap
Baad. A ss.
We salute you.
congratulations from Paris, France, Sir
For the first time, I have respect for a man whose nickname is "Dip". This guy is awsome.