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Bryan James Budd VC (16 July 1977 – 20 August 2006) was a Northern Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Budd was a corporal in the 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment (3 PARA) of the British Army. He was killed while on active service during Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. Budd died of injuries sustained during a fire fight with Taliban forces in Sangin, Helmand Province, from a bullet probably fired from a NATO weapon. The incident occurred whilst he was on a routine patrol close to the District Centre. He was the 20th UK serviceman to die in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November 2001. On 14 December 2006, it was announced by the Ministry of Defence that Budd would be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross,〔(Operational Honours: VC and GC for acts of exceptional valour ), MOD press release, 14 December 2006〕 only the 13th award of the medal since the end of the Second World War. ==Early life== Born in Belfast together with twin sister Tracy, Budd moved to the north of England as a child. He attended Thomas Sumpter School in Scunthorpe.〔(''Town's TA barracks renamed in honour of Victoria Cross soldier'', by This is Scunthorpe, April 12, 2011 )〕 Budd had been in the British Army for ten years, serving with the elite Pathfinder Platoon, which carries out reconnaissance deep behind enemy lines. As part of the Pathfinders, he served in many operational theatres〔( 'Superb' leader shot dead in Afghanistan ), The Daily Telegraph, retrieved 22 December 2006〕 including the former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq. In May 2002, Budd passed his section commander's battle course with distinction, and was due to be promoted to platoon Sergeant. Cpl Budd was a qualified combat survival instructor, rock climber and free-fall parachutist. He was posted to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate in 2004, where he trained young soldiers.〔(Army names father-to-be killed in Taliban firefight | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited )〕 In June 2006, Budd joined A Company, 3 PARA as part of the 3,600-strong British task force. Posted to Afghanistan, A Company, 3 PARA was based in the southern Afghanistan town of Sangin in Helmand Province. Due to come home on 25 August 2006, Budd was killed on 20 August defending his section against heavy Taliban attack outside Sangin, allowing the section to return to safety. His body was recovered an hour later, and he was confirmed dead. Budd's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Tootal, described Budd at the time of his death as "an outstanding leader" who had a professional manner "that inspired confidence in all that worked with him". Tootal said: ''"Bryan died doing the job he loved, leading his men from the front, where he always was. He was proud to call himself a paratrooper and we were proud to stand beside him."'' On 14 December 2006, the Ministry of Defence confirmed the award of the Victoria Cross,〔(BBC NEWS | England | North Yorkshire | Posthumous VC for heroic soldier )〕 the first posthumous VC awarded since the Falklands conflict. His widow, Lorena, collected the VC from Buckingham Palace on 7 March 2007.〔(BBC NEWS | England | North Yorkshire | Widow collects hero soldier's VC )〕 A new Physical and Recreational Training Centre at Colchester Garrison was named the Corporal Budd VC Gymnasium on its opening on 4 July 2008. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Bryan Budd」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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