Sergeant who saved seven of his comrades is honoured

Acting sergeant Paul Howard, 39, was the first to leap into the water to help release the soldiers trapped inside the upturned vehicle after a road collapsed. Three had stopped breathing but they were resuscitated by medics and all seven survived.

On another occasion, A/Sgt Howard, from Letchworth, Hertfordshire, co-ordinated the response to a roadside explosion that killed Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, the most senior officer to lose his life in Afghanistan.

The improvised explosive device also claimed the life of Lt-Col Thorneloe's driver, Trooper Joshua Hammond.

Under fierce enemy fire, A/Sgt Howard, of 2nd Battalion The Royal Tank Regiment, organised the extraction of seriously wounded casualties and prevented the vehicles falling into enemy hands.

He is to receive a mention in despatches for gallantry, outstanding leadership and saving the lives of others.

His citation reads: "Time after time, in moments of intense danger, Howard's calm and decisive leadership was fundamental to the troop remaining combat-effective after such traumatic events. For his selfless and relentless courage he deserves formal public recognition."

The Ministry of Defence today announced that 131 service personnel were being honoured for their bravery in Afghanistan between last October and April.

The George medal was awarded to Staff Sergeant Karl Ley, of the Royal Logistics Corps, who has dealt with more improvised explosive devices than any other bomb expert in history — 139 to date.

Lieutenant Craig Shephard, of the Grenadier Guards, receives the Military Cross for his "inspirational" leadership in defending a patrol base in Nad-e-Ali from sustained insurgent attacks. During the time he was there, more than 80 insurgents were killed but his platoon suffered no losses.

His medal citation said: "Shephard's judgment and clear thinking was of the highest order on his first operational tour, within a year of joining the battalion."

Lt Shephard, 24, who lives in Epsom, said: "In the two-and-a-half months we were there, something happened every day."

Lieutenant Philip Lenthall, of the Royal Anglian Regiment, was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for winning over Afghans in "an extremely hostile and dangerous environment".

His platoon was based at an isolated outpost in Nad-e-Ali and came under constant Taliban attack. Many Afghans moved away because of the violence but Lt Lenthall, 28, from central London, was able to attract 250 back and "turned doubters into supporters".

He said: "This honour is just a nice recognition for what my men achieved. There were a lot of challenges. It was initially quite violent, but by the end of it we saw a real difference."