|
leftmenu2
|
|
PRESS RELEASE
Coalition Provisional Authority
http://www.iraqcoalition.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – APRIL 29, 2004
Contact: David Mac Dougall
Tel: 1-914-822-4714
VALOR UNDER FIRE
BRITISH CIVILIAN AWARDED US BRAVERY MEDAL
Dr Andrew Rathmell, Director of Planning, Policy and Analysis at the
Coalition Provisional Authority, today received the Office of the Secretary of
Defense Medal for Valor. The medal was presented by Ambassador L. Paul Bremer at
a ceremony at the CPA Headquarters in Baghdad.
On January 21st 2004, Dr Rathmell was visiting the Forward Operating Base
Warhorse in Baquba with civilian and military colleagues. While in Baquba, Dr
Rathmell was caught in a mortar and rocket attack on the base. One mortar landed
close to Dr Rathmell, and he was knocked to the ground, temporarily deafened by
the blast. Despite his injury, Dr Rathmell was able to dr! ag US Army Colonel
Ralph Sabatino to safety, before running into the line of fire three more times
to administer potentially life-saving first aid to others who were wounded, and
tragically confirm that two soldiers were already dead.
As Ambassador Bremer presented the award to Dr Rathmell, he said “valor at risk
of your own life requires strength of purpose sufficient to overcome the love of
life, the fear of death. Andrew Rathmell is not a professional warrior, but he
displayed the courage and coolness under fire to which all warriors aspire”.
The Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Valor was created after the
terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It is given to citizens who perform an
act of heroism or sacrifice, with voluntary risk of personal safety in the face
of danger. Dr Andrew Rathmell is the first recipient of the medal since 9/11,
and the first foreign national to receive the award.
Dr Andrew Rathmell has worked at the CPA in Baghdad since August 2004. He is a
full-time employee of the Rand Corporation, seconded to the Department of
Defense. Andrew lives in London with his wife and two young children.
###
Contact:
David Mac Dougall
Press Adviser to David Richmond
UK Special Representative for Iraq
Tel: +1 914 822 4714
Email: macdougalld.gbr@orha.centcom.mil
|
