bobdina
07-30-2009, 09:12 PM
Sergeant James Harkess – The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment – Conspicuous Gallantry Cross
"As a Warrior platoon sergeant, Colour Sergeant James Harkess deployed with the Queen's Royal Hussars Battle Group to Al Amarah, Southern Iraq. On 23 May 2006 during a strike operation against an enemy stronghold, 50 heavily armed Militia attacked from the flank in an attempt to isolate the lead elements of the Company. Recognising the danger, he rapidly secured an extraction route to protect his comrades. As he did so, his entire platoon came under heavy fire from small arms and rocket propelled grenades. Despite this, he pushed his Warrior to the front and led his platoon against a torrent of incoming fire. Having gained the tactical advantage he then held the vital ground he had won which allowed the Company to be extracted safely. His actions prevented the isolation of British soldiers, denied the enemy the opportunity to close and saved lives.
"On 11 June 2006, C Company Group conducted a search operation in Al Amarah. A Warrior bogged down preventing early disengagement and the ensuing six hours battle was the largest and most intense in Iraq since 2004. The narrow alleyways and roof tops provided cover for 200 Mahdi Army soldiers as they engaged C Company with rocket propelled grenades, heavy small arms fire, snipers, blast bombs and grenades. Colour Sergeant Harkess quickly secured a key junction, a pivotal position he held for six hours. He led repeated counter attacks, exposed from the top of his Warrior so that he could maintain situational awareness, and simultaneously engage roof-top gunmen with his rifle.
"Strike marks peppered his vehicle, yet he refused to take cover. His example inspired others and secured the flank.
"On 30 July 2006, Colour Sergeant Harkess was in a company operation protecting a re-supply convoy. As the convoy approached a town the enemy sprung a complex ambush. Despite enemy fire, he accepted that he could not withdraw his platoon without exposing the convoy to greater danger. With complete disregard to his personal safety, he again repeatedly exposed himself to danger in order to locate the enemy. Despite facing machine gun and sniper fire he directed his platoon for over an hour, gaining accurate intelligence of enemy dispositions. Once done, he attacked, killing the forward team and forcing others to withdraw. His action was critical to the company commander, and allowed the convoy to be extracted with minimal loss. Throughout these engagements Colour Sergeant Harkess was steadfast under extreme pressure and led his platoon in the face of the enemy with raw bravery. His gallantry and leadership merit the award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross."
"As a Warrior platoon sergeant, Colour Sergeant James Harkess deployed with the Queen's Royal Hussars Battle Group to Al Amarah, Southern Iraq. On 23 May 2006 during a strike operation against an enemy stronghold, 50 heavily armed Militia attacked from the flank in an attempt to isolate the lead elements of the Company. Recognising the danger, he rapidly secured an extraction route to protect his comrades. As he did so, his entire platoon came under heavy fire from small arms and rocket propelled grenades. Despite this, he pushed his Warrior to the front and led his platoon against a torrent of incoming fire. Having gained the tactical advantage he then held the vital ground he had won which allowed the Company to be extracted safely. His actions prevented the isolation of British soldiers, denied the enemy the opportunity to close and saved lives.
"On 11 June 2006, C Company Group conducted a search operation in Al Amarah. A Warrior bogged down preventing early disengagement and the ensuing six hours battle was the largest and most intense in Iraq since 2004. The narrow alleyways and roof tops provided cover for 200 Mahdi Army soldiers as they engaged C Company with rocket propelled grenades, heavy small arms fire, snipers, blast bombs and grenades. Colour Sergeant Harkess quickly secured a key junction, a pivotal position he held for six hours. He led repeated counter attacks, exposed from the top of his Warrior so that he could maintain situational awareness, and simultaneously engage roof-top gunmen with his rifle.
"Strike marks peppered his vehicle, yet he refused to take cover. His example inspired others and secured the flank.
"On 30 July 2006, Colour Sergeant Harkess was in a company operation protecting a re-supply convoy. As the convoy approached a town the enemy sprung a complex ambush. Despite enemy fire, he accepted that he could not withdraw his platoon without exposing the convoy to greater danger. With complete disregard to his personal safety, he again repeatedly exposed himself to danger in order to locate the enemy. Despite facing machine gun and sniper fire he directed his platoon for over an hour, gaining accurate intelligence of enemy dispositions. Once done, he attacked, killing the forward team and forcing others to withdraw. His action was critical to the company commander, and allowed the convoy to be extracted with minimal loss. Throughout these engagements Colour Sergeant Harkess was steadfast under extreme pressure and led his platoon in the face of the enemy with raw bravery. His gallantry and leadership merit the award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross."