Michelle MC, bravest girl in the Army
by NICK McDERMOTT
21st March 2007
A teenage army medic has become the first woman to be awarded the Military Cross, one of the highest honours for gallantry in combat.
Private Michelle Norris, 19, braved a hail of sniper and machine-gun fire from 200 insurgents during a pitched battle in southern Iraq in order to give lifesaving treatment to a wounded comrade.
Braving the bullets in Iraq: Private Michelle Norris, 19, has become the first woman to be awarded the Military Cross
Ignoring the bullets ricocheting around her - one blasting through her rucksack - the young medic clambered on top of an armoured vehicle to help her injured commander.
It was the first time she had been confronted with a casualty on the battlefield.
Private Norris from Stourbridge in the West Midlands, who had dreamed of joining the Army as a child after watching old war films with her father, spoke of her pride after being presented with her award by the Queen.
Private Michelle Norris standing outside Buckingham Palace, London, after collecting her Military Cross from Queen Elizabeth II
Speaking after the ceremony at Buckingham Palace Private Norris said: "It hasn't sunk in yet. I'm here with my mum, dad and sister and they have been very proud and supportive of me all the way through it."
She added: "I was more concerned about doing my job then what was happening around me. That is what I'm trained for, that is what I was doing."
The Military Cross is awarded to soldiers 'for exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy', and ranks only below the Victoria Cross and Conspicuous Gallantry Cross as a recognition of bravery in battle.
Just past her 18th birthday and newly qualified as a private in the Royal Army Medical Corps, Private Norris was sent to Iraq in the summer of 2005 as a company medic with the 1st Battalion the Princess of Wales Regiment.
On June 11 last year, she "came under heavy, accurate and sustained attack" according to her medal citation, after her unit was involved in "the largest and most intense battle in Iraq since 2004".
After the commander of her Warrior was shot in the face, she climbed out of the armoured vehicle to give first aid despite the obvious danger.
Snipers turned their fire on the Warrior, sending bullets smashing into the turret "inches from her leg", but Private Norris continued administering treatment for three minutes until other soldiers helped her drag the injured commander inside the vehicle.
Thanks to her bravery the injured soldier, Colour Sergeant Ian Page, made a full recovery.
Private Norris described coming under fire during her heroic dash.
She said: "I jumped out of the Warrior and climbed up. I didn't realise at the time I was being shot at. I managed to get him to the back of the vehicle and give him first aid.
"It was only afterwards that I really realised how close it had been."
Actress Penelope Keith and footballer Steven Gerrard were also honoured by the Queen.
Known for her portrayal of upper-crust, aristocratic characters in TV series The Good Life and To The Manor Born, Keith collected a CBE.
England midfielder and Liverpool captain Gerrard, 26, was made an MBE. In 2005, he led his team to a famous comeback in Istanbul when they were 3-0 behind against AC Milan in the Champions League Final but ended up winning.
dailymail.co.uk
by NICK McDERMOTT
21st March 2007
A teenage army medic has become the first woman to be awarded the Military Cross, one of the highest honours for gallantry in combat.
Private Michelle Norris, 19, braved a hail of sniper and machine-gun fire from 200 insurgents during a pitched battle in southern Iraq in order to give lifesaving treatment to a wounded comrade.
Braving the bullets in Iraq: Private Michelle Norris, 19, has become the first woman to be awarded the Military Cross
Ignoring the bullets ricocheting around her - one blasting through her rucksack - the young medic clambered on top of an armoured vehicle to help her injured commander.
It was the first time she had been confronted with a casualty on the battlefield.
Private Norris from Stourbridge in the West Midlands, who had dreamed of joining the Army as a child after watching old war films with her father, spoke of her pride after being presented with her award by the Queen.
Private Michelle Norris standing outside Buckingham Palace, London, after collecting her Military Cross from Queen Elizabeth II
Speaking after the ceremony at Buckingham Palace Private Norris said: "It hasn't sunk in yet. I'm here with my mum, dad and sister and they have been very proud and supportive of me all the way through it."
She added: "I was more concerned about doing my job then what was happening around me. That is what I'm trained for, that is what I was doing."
The Military Cross is awarded to soldiers 'for exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy', and ranks only below the Victoria Cross and Conspicuous Gallantry Cross as a recognition of bravery in battle.
Just past her 18th birthday and newly qualified as a private in the Royal Army Medical Corps, Private Norris was sent to Iraq in the summer of 2005 as a company medic with the 1st Battalion the Princess of Wales Regiment.
On June 11 last year, she "came under heavy, accurate and sustained attack" according to her medal citation, after her unit was involved in "the largest and most intense battle in Iraq since 2004".
After the commander of her Warrior was shot in the face, she climbed out of the armoured vehicle to give first aid despite the obvious danger.
Snipers turned their fire on the Warrior, sending bullets smashing into the turret "inches from her leg", but Private Norris continued administering treatment for three minutes until other soldiers helped her drag the injured commander inside the vehicle.
Thanks to her bravery the injured soldier, Colour Sergeant Ian Page, made a full recovery.
Private Norris described coming under fire during her heroic dash.
She said: "I jumped out of the Warrior and climbed up. I didn't realise at the time I was being shot at. I managed to get him to the back of the vehicle and give him first aid.
"It was only afterwards that I really realised how close it had been."
Actress Penelope Keith and footballer Steven Gerrard were also honoured by the Queen.
Known for her portrayal of upper-crust, aristocratic characters in TV series The Good Life and To The Manor Born, Keith collected a CBE.
England midfielder and Liverpool captain Gerrard, 26, was made an MBE. In 2005, he led his team to a famous comeback in Istanbul when they were 3-0 behind against AC Milan in the Champions League Final but ended up winning.
dailymail.co.uk
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