295:. Finney escaped from the burning vehicle, but returned to it when he realised that his gunner was trapped in the turret, and succeeded in rescuing him. Realising that his comrades were all injured, Finney returned to the vehicle a second time to inform his headquarters of the situation. He then proceeded to help the wounded gunner to safety even while the two aircraft carried out a second attack, hitting Finney in the lower back and legs. Finally, he returned to the scene of the attack a third time to attempt to rescue the injured driver of another burning vehicle. The citation concludes with: "During these attacks and their horrifying aftermath, Trooper Finney displayed clearheaded courage and devotion to his comrades which was out of all proportion to his age and experience. Acting with complete disregard for his own safety even when wounded, his bravery was of the highest order throughout."
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340:, the highest military award of the British military, but the suggestion was rejected because the Victoria Cross is for acts of valour "in the face of the enemy", and as Trooper Finney and his comrades were under attack from American forces, he did not qualify for the medal.
186:. Finney rescued several of his comrades despite being hit by the attacking aircraft. For his valour he was awarded the George Cross: the highest award for acts of conspicuous gallantry performed when not in the face of the enemy, becoming the youngest serviceman in the
412:. As chair of the VCGCA, he had been selected as the "representative of those who serve the Crown". He was one of four persons to present the king to those gathered in Westminster Abbey as part of the first element of the service titled the Recognition.
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in 2004 in recognition of his bravery. He also received an engraved gold watch from "the citizens of Marple" to congratulate him on his "deed of heroism". After he returned from medical leave, Finney continued to serve in the army. He was promoted to
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to receive it, and only the 154th direct recipient since its inception in 1940 (a number of recipients of other medals had their award converted to a GC).
372:. After giving an interview in a national newspaper that criticised the government and the situation he now found himself in, Finney was offered a job by
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after being persuaded by his section commander during his training. At the age of 16 he attended the a year-long course for junior soldiers attending the
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After leaving the army, Finney took a course in fibre optics and copper cable installation but was unable to find employment. He found work in a
302:(GC) — the highest award for acts of conspicuous gallantry performed when not in the face of the enemy, becoming the youngest serviceman in the
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he was driving came under attack from a pair of
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Finney lives with his wife, Liz, and their daughters in
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132:(born 23 May 1984) is a former British soldier of the
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for the same action. Sergeant Andrew
Sindall of the
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401:. In 2022 he took over as Chairman of the
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547:. Pride of Britain Awards. Archived from
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707:1984 births
473:"No. 57100"
453:"No. 57100"
433:"No. 57100"
362:call centre
218:Army career
144:during the
41:23 May 1984
701:Categories
416:References
396:Chacewater
389:Goonhavern
311:Mick Flynn
267:ribbon bar
194:Early life
54:Allegiance
37:1984-05-23
660:5 January
240:Harrogate
204:Stockport
157:Stockport
77:2000–2009
49:, Belgium
608:29 March
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555:29 March
529:28 March
523:BBC News
503:29 March
497:BBC News
385:Cornwall
274:Scimitar
265:and its
208:Wimborne
173:Scimitar
169:Iraq War
106:Iraq War
62:Service/
47:Brussels
248:Windsor
202:, near
155:, near
634:2 June
370:Dorset
212:Dorset
200:Marple
161:Dorset
153:Marple
112:Awards
64:branch
685:1 May
366:Poole
291:in a
285:Basra
182:in a
687:2023
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636:2021
610:2011
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