Feb 25, 11:23 AM EST
Queen Gives Awards to U.K. Iraq Veterans
By SUE LEEMAN
Associated Press Writer
LONDON (AP) -- A 19-year-old soldier who rescued a colleague from U.S. "friendly fire" in Iraq received the George Cross on Wednesday, the youngest person honored with Britain's second-highest award for gallantry.
"I'm overwhelmed. I don't know what was more nerve-racking, receiving this medal or when we were under fire," Trooper Christopher Finney said after receiving his award from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
Finney had been a member of British army's Blues and Royals regiment for less than a year when he rescued a comrade who came under fire from U.S. warplanes in fighting in March near Basra in southern Iraq.
The George Cross is surpassed only by the Victoria Cross.
"The queen said she was honored to present me with the George Cross and that she hadn't presented one for a long time," Finney said. He was joined at the ceremony by the man he saved, Lance Cpl. Alan Tudball.
The queen presented 96 military and civilian personnel from the Iraqi war with honors for bravery.
Others included Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge, leader of Britain's forces in Iraq, who became a Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath.
Finney's bravery came as his tank unit was advancing along the Shatt al-Arab waterway about 25 miles from Basra in southern Iraq on March 31.
While the troops were searching a village for Iraqi troops, it came under fire from two U.S. aircraft. Two of the British Scimitar tanks caught fire, including Finney's, and began discharging their ammunition.
Finney scrambled out of his Scimitar, but noticed that Tudball, his gunner, had been wounded and was stuck in the turret while flames rose around him.
Finney climbed aboard and dragged Tudball to safety, then ran back to the burning vehicle to file a situation report by radio to his commanding officer.
Later, as he was carrying Tudball to another vehicle for evacuation, the U.S. planes attacked again and both men were hit by shrapnel.
Finney tried to save another colleague, Lance Cpl. Matty Hull, also hit in the second attack, but was beaten back by the heat and smoke. Hull was one of four men who died in the action.
Some 300 personnel have been honored for their achievements during the war; a second investiture will be held next week.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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