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.
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There are good men like this lined up for miles around the world, eager for the chance to bust open taliban and alqida skulls and spill their tainted brain matter down the rocky slopes of the Afghan mountain tops. God bless the gurkhas and all of the rest of the warriors fighting off the last vestiges of this archaic band of zealots
Lol its a shame you can't appreciate the ironic hypocrisy of your post.
Wasn't your description a bit "zealous"?
Most of the comments make no sense. Perhaps if some of you would use the 'reply' button your comments might have some context.
Right on man! Go get em!
You are a HERO. Thank you for your service. I wish we could clone you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
We r always the bravest.I salute my gurkha brothers.and our mother land Nepal
30 to 1!!!!! Amazing. That's one baaad dude.
That called for a Victoria Cross. I'm surprised he didn't get it instead.
One wonders what it takes these days to get a VC......the official party line is that "the VC/GC has to be retained for the absolutely exceptional and not used for the simply spectacular". Draw the line when the lead is flying.....
A more cynical view may be that there is no pension payable with the CGC.
Second highest honor?
He was written up on badassoftheweek on April 8th. The description there of what happened is hilarious and awesome. He is amazing.
Probably a Pally Tank.
Hitcha wit da big gun....tripod.........good job bravo zulu !
HIS MIDDLE NAME...IT'S NORRIS.
DIPPRASAD "NORRIS" PUN...simply awesome
Simply outstanding. Period.
All the (free) world loves a hero! I hope he inspires others with his bravery.
Everyone wants peace – and few of us fight the most terrible war to get it, from where HEROES are born.
कायर हुनु भन्दा मर्नु राम्रो – the Heroes behind creating history of deadliest warrior in the world – The Gurkhas "Better to die than be a coward".
I commend this guy. I have been over there and know what it's like. You sorry ass people who have jokes don't fight for your country and god only knows what you do. You are sad!!!! Why don't you wear the uniform and serve your country before you make idotic comments!!!!! YOU JUST NEED HELP!! MAYBE YOUR JEALOUS BECAUSE YOU DIDNT SERVER YOUR COUNTRY!!!!! AND IF THAT IS THE CASE THAT IS JUST SAD!!
lol u faukn brainwashed fail
Derek, if you can't appreciate someone who isn't a cowardly little b like all the pssy little fs hating on here, then st.fu..
@ DEREK I new this was you...
http://www.soyoureengayged.com/2009/gay-engagement-photos-in-las-vegas/