Sailors and marines honoured at a night of heroes

A Naval medic who saved the life of a wounded soldier under Taleban sniper fire, a helicopter crewman who rescued all 13 crewmen from a stricken tanker, every member of 42 Commando Royal Marines and the sailors of HMS Liverpool were among the military personnel honoured at last night’s Sun Military Awards.

Billed as ‘a night of heroes’ at the Imperial War Museum in London the fourth annual awards – endorsed by the Ministry of Defence and better known as the Millies – saw soldiers, sailors and airmen rub shoulders with royalty, military and political leaders, including Prime Minister David Cameron, and celebrities such as footballer David Beckham, Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson, Little Britain’s David Walliams and Strictly Come Dancing judge Alesha Dixon.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were guests of honour with four of the ten awards being presented to members of the Naval Service.

Those winners were:

Best reservist : Able Seaman Michelle ‘Mich’ Ping

AEM Michelle 'Mich' Ping is a paramedic in Leeds by day and an air engineer in the Royal Naval Reserve, the 37-year-old served alongside the troops of 4 Scots Royal Regiment in Afghanistan reverting to her day job by providing medical cover. She administered life-saving aid to 21-year-old Craig Paterson when he was shot by a sniper. She came under intense fire on an exposed rooftop then ensured the wounded soldier was safely carried across 500 metres of drainage ditches and scrub as the fire-fight continued to rage. Her citation says that was just one instance of bravery she demonstrated alongside ‘my boys’ – “In sum, Mich is outstanding – she is a tremendous inspiration.”

Most outstanding sailor or Royal Marine: Petty Officer Mike ‘H’ Henson

PO Mike 'H' Henson is an aircrewman with 829 Naval Air Squadron, H was lowered repeatedly on to the deck of the MV Pavit off the coast of Oman as waves crashed over the foundering tanker. The 29-year-old also had to contend with 35-knot winds as he lifted all 13 sailors on the tanker into the safety of HMS St Albans’ Merlin helicopter… then lowered them on to another tanker ten miles away where medics treated them. Describing the rescue as “a bit hairy”, the senior rate plays down his efforts that day.

“Most airmen would do exactly the same thing – I was in the right place at the right time”.

Best unit: 42 Commando

42 Commando received more than 200 nominations for their deeds – and sacrifices – during a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. The Bickleigh-based green berets carried out more than five dozen helicopter assaults, dealt with nearly 250 home-made bomb incidents and suffered the highest casualty rate of any British force in Helmand over the summer: six men killed and more than 60 wounded.

Despite such losses, throughout the men “took the fight to the enemy”, cleared out “the last ulcer of Helmand”, won over the hearts and minds of the populace and supported Afghan security forces such that efforts in the Nad-e Ali district now stand on “the very cusp of success”. As the girlfriend of one of the men of 42 killed put it:

“The Royal Marines of 42 Commando do not see themselves as heroes, but to everyone else they are true heroes. They put their lives on the line every single day to keep us safe. I salute every single one of them.”

Judges’ award for special recognition: HMS Liverpool

HMS Liverpool's name is now inextricably bound with Libya. No British ship spent longer supporting the NATO mission to help the citizens of Libya and neutralise Col Gaddafi’s military machine. The veteran destroyer was targeted by shore batteries – which thankfully missed, but the reverberations could be felt through the ship.

“The ship has encountered things not seen since the Falklands War,” reads one nomination.

“HMS Liverpool has gone above and beyond what was expected of her when she left Portsmouth and the ship’s company have shown true grit and determination.”

Awards presented to the other Services last night were: Overcoming adversity: Pte Scott Meenagh, 2 Para; most outstanding soldier: Sgt Ryan McReady, 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment; most outstanding airman: Flt Lt Michael Anderson, RAF Odiham; support to the Armed Forces: Walking with the Wounded; Life Saver Award: RAF Tactical Medical Wing; true grit: Pte Lee Stephens, 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment.

Judges of the Millies included TV hardman turned documentary maker Ross Kemp, England star Frank Lampard, ex-SAS man and author Andy McNab and the PM’s wife Samantha Cameron.

Paying tribute to winners and nominees, the Chief of Defence Staff General Sir David Richards said:

“The British people recognise that the work that the Armed Forces do is extraordinary. I think I speak for all of us when I say that their selfless acts of courage and their professionalism in difficult and dangerous circumstances are actions that need to be celebrated and rewarded.

“For four years now, the Sun Military Awards have showcased these stories of bravery, of ingenuity, and of care. Long may they continue to shine a light on these achievements and inspire others.”