A second Australian special forces soldier has been awarded a medal for his role in a fierce gunbattle in Afghanistan in June last year.The soldier, known as Sergeant P, has received the Star of Gallantry - which ranks only behind the Victoria Cross.
It comes a few days after SAS Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith was awarded the VC, Australia's top military honour. Corporal Roberts-Smith single-handedly neutralised two Afghan insurgent machine gun positions.
The Star of Gallantry is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril.