US Marine Corps captain receives top UK honour
US Marine Corps Captain Brian Jordan, a UH-1Y Venom helicopter pilot, was the recipient of the British Distinguished Flying Cross at a ceremony at the British Embassy in Washington, US, on 12 February.
US Marine Corps Captain Brian Jordan, a UH-1Y Venom helicopter pilot, was the recipient of the British Distinguished Flying Cross at a ceremony at the British Embassy in Washington, US, on 12 February.
Jordan was honoured for actions he undertook on 21 June 2012 during a deployment in Afghanistan. He and his squadron had been providing reconnaissance in Helmand province and were preparing to return to Camp Bastion, when they observed an explosion. “I remember the [joint tactical air controller] saying over the radio, ‘man down, man down, request immediate medevac’,” said Jordan. “One of the guardsmen had stepped on an [improvised explosive device]. He had lost a limb and was going into shock.” Jordan and his crew were informed over the radio that there was not enough time to retrieve the wounded man, and that he ‘wouldn’t make it’, but they opted to try anyway, with support from their section leader. “The situation made it feel like we were on the ground for an eternity,” Jordan continued, “even though we could not have been on the ground for more than 10 seconds.” The wounded man, along with another soldier, was successfully retrieved, and survived.
On Jordan receiving the award, Gunnery Sgt Andrew Bond – a member of his aircrew – said: “I am happy for him and anyone else who could accomplish something like this. I am very proud of him.”