Corporal Daniel Keighran VC presents his Victoria Cross for Australia to Dr Peter Pedersen at the Australian War Memorial.
Corporal Keighran’s Victoria Cross, on loan to the Australian War Memorial, was presented to Dr Peter Pedersen, Assistant Director and Branch Head of the National Collection at the Australian War Memorial.
“The Memorial is delighted to receive Corporal Keighran’s generous loan of his medals. They are an important part of the ongoing story of the Australian experience of war, and we are proud to put them on display,” Dr Pedersen said
“Corporal Keighran’s medals and story will join those of many ordinary men and women who have done the extraordinary; their deeds form an immortal part of our nation’s history. I am sure many Australians will want to see Corporal Keighran’s medals and learn more about his remarkable courage and selfless service.”
The Victoria Cross for Australia was awarded to Corporal Daniel Keighran for the most conspicuous acts of gallantry and extreme devotion to duty in action in circumstances of great peril at Derapet, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan as part of the Mentoring Task Force One on Operation SLIPPER, 24 August 2010. The Victoria Cross will be on display with his full medal group in the Memorial’s Hall of Valour in early 2013.
Corporal Keighran said he visited the Hall of Valour just before receiving his Victoria Cross and remembers reading the other recipients’ stories.
“I thought how proud I would be if my medal was displayed there,” Corporal Keighran said.
“It will certainly be in good company, especially when the actions of so many recipients cost them their lives.
“I hope my Victoria Cross inspires people to visit the memorial, to learn more about our military history and the sacrifices of all those who have served.”
Corporal Keighran’s full medal group comprises the following honours and awards:
• Victoria Cross for Australia
• Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp Iraq and Clasp ICAT
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Australian Service Medal with Clasp East Timor
• Australian Defence Medal
• United Nations Mission in Support of East Timor Medal
• NATO Non Article 5 Medal with Clasp ISAF
• Meritorious Unit Citation for MTF 1
• Infantry Combat Badge
To read more about the presentation of the Victoria Cross for Australia to Corporal Daniel Keighran VC click here.
To read more about Corporal Daniel Keighran VC click here.
To read more about the Victoria Cross for Australia click here.