At just 18 years old, Private Kennedy had only served in the Army for six months when he braved Taliban fire to save the life of his injured officer — earning him the coveted Military Cross for bravery and becoming the youngest soldier in decades to have received the honor.
According to the BBC, it was during a patrol last June in Helmand Province, Afghanistan that 2nd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment came under heavy attack from the Taliban. When the young rifleman realized that his commanding officer, Andy Bell had been shot in the legs and was heavily bleeding, he did what he knew he had to.
Dodging a steady stream of bullets, the young teenager calmly administered first aid, took the officer’s radio and directed his comrades to the right positions before dragging Bell to safety. At one point, a bullet actually hit him, knocking him off his feet.
“It ricocheted above my helmet, taking off my goggles and flipped me on my back with the force of the bullet,” he said, adding matter-of-factly: “For a few seconds I couldn’t hear or see anything.” With his patrol commander hit three times in the leg, doctors have since told the now 19-year-old soldier that his quick actions undoubtedly saved the man’s life.
Private Kennedy’s citation says he “acted with a level of leadership and situational awareness far above that expected of a private soldier, demonstrating selfless bravery and a cool head under fire.” But the hero from Worcestershire, is modest about his bravery, telling Britain’s Daily Mail: “It’s just the job I was trained to do. I’m a normal guy and it’s just how any other soldier would act.”
When asked about receiving the award, at such a young age, the soldier is understandably emotional. “I still can’t speak about it, it’s overwhelming, ” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. “It’s every soldier’s dream to win something like this and it’s come true for me.” Mom, Lesley Kennedy is as proud as can be, describing the family as “delighted and very proud.”
Rightly so.
Photo via BBC News.