Trooper donaldson was a member of the australian special air service regiment when he exposed himself to enemy fire to protect. The crossroad by victoria cross recipient mark donaldson is not. An australian soldier, trooper mark donaldson, has been awarded a victoria cross for gallantry in afghanistan the first to be awarded in more than 40 years. On 2 september 2008, in a valley in eastern afghanistan, trooper mark donaldson made a.
On 2 september 2008, in a valley in eastern afghanistan, trooper mark donaldson made a splitsecond decision that would change his life. He has authored a best selling book the cross road a story of life, death and the sas and he is the patron of soldier on, a philanthropic group assisting soldiers to settle back. Truly heroic aussie sas trooper mark donaldson blackfive. Australian mark donaldson vc the crossroads afghanistan war. He was the first to be awarded our highest bravery distinction. On 2 september,2008, in a valley in eastern afghanistan, trooper mark donaldson made a splitsecond decision that would change his life. When governorgeneral quentin bryce pinned the victoria cross for australia on the chest of 29yearold trooper mark donaldson in january 2009, it was the first time in 40 years that our highest. During a 2008 deployment to afghanistan, the former sas trooper performed a series of heroic actions that earned him the victoria cross for australia the first australian. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Mark gregor strang donaldson vc born 2 april 1979 is the first recipient of the victoria cross for australia, awarded for gallantry, the highest award in the australian honours system. Trooper mark donaldson s medals on display at the australian war memorial in canberra. Buy the crossroad by mark donaldson 9781742612287 from boomerang books, australias online independent bookstore. Trooper mark donaldson, 29, from newcastle, a special air service soldier, says all soldiers are heroes.
On 2 september 2008, in a valley in eastern afghanistan, trooper mark donaldson made a split second decision that would change his life. Mark donaldson vc is a remarkable young man that has lived life to the full from a very early age. The victoria cross recognised donaldsons extraordinary courage during combat under exceptional circumstances. The victoria cross trust cleaning up the grave of sheffield vc hero george lambert.
Afghanistan, trooper mark donaldson made a splitsecond decision that would change his life. Mark donaldson is an australian soldier who was given the first victoria cross for australia. Download and keep this book for free with a 30 day trial. Trooper mark gregor donaldson enlisted into the australian army on 18 june 2002. His display of extraordinary courage that day saw him awarded the victoria cross for australia, making him the fir. His display of extraordinary courage that day saw him awarded the victoria cross for australia, making him the. A bullet remains lodged in his leg to this day to keep him focussed. Written by mark donaldson, narrated by david tredinnick. Join facebook to connect with mark donaldson and others you may know. Mark donaldson military international speakers group. It turned out to be a superb alternative and, in time, one that would become truly inspiring for the youth of australia. On 2 september 2008, in eastern afghanistan, trooper mark donaldson made a splitsecond decision that would change his life. The incredible bestselling memoir by victoria cross recipient mark donaldson a heartfelt work by a substantial man herald sun winner of the abia award for best biography 2014 on 2 september 2008, in eastern afghanistan, trooper mark donaldson made a splitsecond decision that would change his life. Mark donaldson luke corporate speakers international.
Then trooper donaldson was a member of the special air service regiment. The crossroad military book bio mark donaldson sas. Corporal mark donaldson, vc, joined the australian army on 18 june 2002 and demonstrated an early aptitude for soldiering. On 2 september 2008 in a valley in eastern afghanistan, trooper mark donaldson made a split second decision that would change his life. Mark donaldson vc is a remarkable young man that has lived life to the full. Indeed what this book does contain is honesty and candor. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. On 22 january 2009, trooper mark donaldson presented his victoria cross for australia to the australian war memorial. Hollywood legends, mel gibson and bruce davey, chose marks personal story, described in his bestselling book. Follow mark donaldson vcs instagram account to see all 4 of their photos and videos.
Trooper mark donaldson was part of an afghanistan patrol in the ana kalay valley when they noticed women and children suddenly flee the area. Trooper mark donaldson vc young australian of the year 2010. After finishing high school, donaldson went to an art college in sydney. About the author mark donaldson was awarded the vc in 2009. During a 2008 deployment to afghanistan, the former sas trooper performed a series of heroic actions that earned him the victoria cross for australia the first australian to receive a vc in the modern era. From left to right they are the victoria cross for australia, australian active service medal with icat clasp, afghanistan medal, australian defence medal and nato medal for the nonarticle 5. On 2 september 2008, in eastern afghanistan, trooper mark donaldson made a splitsecond decision that would change. The crossroad by victoria cross recipient mark donaldson is not dramatically written, crafted for enjoyment nor does it contain any amazing soundbite messages of hope or bravery. He has authored a best selling book the cross road a story of life, death and the sas and he is the patron of soldier on, a philanthropic group assisting soldiers to settle back into australian life after being in harms way on duty overseas.
The crossroad, a story of life, death and the sas by mark. He grew up in the small town of dorrigo, new south wales. Trooper mark donaldsons medals on display at the australian war memorial in canberra. The incredible bestselling memoir by victoria cross recipient mark donaldson a heartfelt work by a substantial man herald sun winner of the abia award for best biography 2014 on 2 september 2008, in eastern afghanistan, trooper mark donaldson made a splitsecond decision that would. Mark donaldson could have lived a life of selfdestructiveness and petty crime, but instead he chose the army, went from zero to hero and was awarded the australian victoria cross for gallantry. The incredible bestselling memoir by victoria cross recipient mark donaldson a heartfelt work by a substantial man herald sun winner of the abia award for best biography 2014 on 2 september 2008, in eastern afghanistan, trooper mark donaldson made a split. Heres a taste of mark donaldsons work in the australian. Peter in australia sends the link to this amazing story about an australian sas soldier who drew enemy fire in order to save a wounded soldier and then saw an interpreter left behind and went to go get him as well. From left to right they are the victoria cross for australia, australian active service medal with icat clasp, afghanistan medal, australian defence medal and nato medal for the nonarticle 5 isaf operation in afghanistan. Heres a taste of mark donaldson s work in the australian.
The incredible bestselling memoir by victoria cross recipient mark donaldson a heartfelt work by a substantial man herald sun winner of the abia award for best biography 2014 on 2 september 2008, in eastern afghanistan, trooper mark donaldson made a. The is the highest medal for bravery for people in the australian defence forces, replacing the victoria cross. His display of extraordinary courage that day saw him awarded the victoria cross for australia, making him the first australian to receive our highest award for bravery in wartime since keith payne in 1969. His display of extraordinary courage saw him awarded the victoria cross for australia, making him the first australian to receive our.
On 2 september 2008 in a valley in eastern afghanistan, trooper mark donaldson made a splitsecond decision that would change his life. This is donaldsons autobiography of his life but concentrates on his military career. Written in a matter of fact tone that everyone can identify with. Donaldson was given the award by the governor general of australia, quentin bryce, on january 16, 2009. He is the first australian recipient of a victoria cross since keith payne in 1969. Jan 15, 2009 trooper mark donaldson, 29, from newcastle, a special air service soldier, says all soldiers are heroes. The crossroad, a story of life, death and the sas by mark donaldson.
The crossroad by mark donaldson 9781743519103 dymocks. Tours of east timor, iraq and afghanistan followed and today mark carries the reminder of how luck can be an important ingredient in success. Mark donaldson was born on 2 april, 1979 at waratah, new south wales. From his turbulent early years to the stark realities of combat in the mountains and valleys of afghanistan, marks book is the frank and compelling story of a man who turned his life around by sheer determination and strength of mind.
The crossroad by mark donaldson at abbeys bookshop. Life on the line tracks down australian war veterans and records their stories. He is the 97th australian to be given the highest bravery award, and the first for 40 years. Mark donaldson simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Then trooper donaldson was a member of the special air service regiment sasr when he exposed himself to enemy fire to protect injured troops and then rescued an interpreter under heavy enemy fire in the battle of. After initial training, he was allocated to the royal australian infantry corps and posted to the 1st battalion, royal australian regiment, before successfully completing the special air service selection course in february 2004. Trooper mark donaldson made a split second decision that would change his life.
Yet marks journey to those crucial moments was almost. Trooper donaldson was serving with the sas in oruzgan province in afghanistan on september 2 last year when his unit. The director of the australian war memorial, major general steve gower retd, described the loan as a wonderful gesture for all australians. The governorgeneral of australia awards the victoria cross for australia, with the approval of the sovereign, on the recommendation of the minister for defence. For most conspicuous acts of gallantry in action in a circumstance of great peril in afghanistan as part of the. His display of extraordinary courage that day saw him awarded. He was presented the award for his rescue of a wounded afghani interpreter from heavy fire in oruzgan province in afghanistan in september. Feb 26, 2014 on 2 september 2008, in a valley in eastern afghanistan, trooper mark donaldson made a split second decision that would change his life. This is certainly the case with mark donaldson, awarded the victoria cross for australia, the nations highest military honour for exceptional bravery. The first medal was awarded on 16 january 2009 to trooper mark donaldson, for the rescue of a coalition forces interpreter from heavy fire in oruzgan province in afghanistan. His display of extraordinary courage saw him awarded the victoria cross for australia, making him the first australian to receive our highest award for bravery since 1969. The crossroad by mark donaldson goodreads share book.
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