Tributes to Sgt Langley and all Australian and New Zealand personnel who have sacrificed all in the course of this war can be found on my profile page.
Posted on 09/20/2011 6:47:35 PM PDT by naturalman1975
COMMANDO Sergeant Todd Langley - Australia's 28th combat fatality in Afghanistan - was yesterday posthumously awarded the US Meritorious Service Medal for heroism against an armed enemy.
The award was bestowed during a ramp ceremony at Richmond air base attended by Chief of the Defence Force David Hurley, Army Chief David Morrison and Special Operations Command head Gus Gilmore.
Sergeant Langley, 35, was killed in action last Monday during a firefight with Taliban insurgents in southern Afghanistan.
He was hailed at RAAF Richmond on Sydney's northwest outskirts as a warrior who led from the front.
"His family, the broader army family, 2nd Commando Regiment and all those who have served with him feel intensely this loss," Lieutenant General Morrison said.
"It is very appropriate that Australia and its defence force recognises this great Australian; he was a great family man, a great husband and father and, as a soldier, a great example to all those who knew him and had the chance to serve with him."
Soldiers from the 2nd Commando Regiment formed an honour guard and bearer party to escort Sergeant Langley's casket from the aircraft to his grieving family.
His commander, Lieutenant Colonel Grant, hailed Sergeant Langley as a "natural leader" who always put the interests of others before himself.
"He fought with bravery, distinction and valour.
"He fought in the knowledge that he was making a real difference for the people of Afghanistan," he said.
"Todd never sought praise, preferring instead to let his actions do the talking."
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.com.au ...
Tributes to Sgt Langley and all Australian and New Zealand personnel who have sacrificed all in the course of this war can be found on my profile page.
Australian hero PING!
OK... Trying again... Hopefully won’t fumblefinger this time...
Good on ya, Digger. It will always bother me that we must lose such fine men, and all the enemy loses are parasites.
Thanks mod!
My hats off and respect for Sgt. Langley. A true Aussie.
Looks like Chuck Norris :)
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