An Cosantóir Dec 2014/Jan 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie
12 |
the Cross of Military Merit
by SGT WAyNE FITZGERALD
O
n the early evening of 24th June 2007, having
finished their patrol in unIFIl's Eastern Sector, two
Spanish APCs were returning to their base in the
lebanese town of Marjayoun when they were struck by a
car bomb. the explosion caused ammunition inside one
APC to explode, which made putting out the fire an almost
impossible task. the attack resulted in the deaths of six
peacekeepers and serious injury to two others.
Travelling on the same road, an Irish patrol commanded
by Lt Col Stephen Ryan (3 Inf Bn) and Coy Sgt Mitchel Bohan
(7 Inf Bn) witnessed the explosion. After quickly assessing
the situation the two Irish peacekeepers risked their own
lives by approaching the vehicles with extinguishers to try
and put out the fire. Despite constant explosions from the
APC ammunition they continued their efforts to put out the
fire and then helped to evacuate the injured to the Spanish
base in their vehicle.
(Cruces del Mérito Militar)
Lt Col Stephen Ryan and Coy Sgt Mitchel Bohan being presented with their
Cross of Military Merit with white distinction by Spanish Ambassador
Flórez and Defence Attaché Captain Víctor Díaz del Río. Photo: Lt Col
Anthony Cudmore, ADC COS.
Cross of Military Merit
with White Distinction
