Citation Leon Kristopher Smith

on 19 august 2011 lance corporal smith, member of nzsas task force, responded insurgent attack on british council offices in centre of kabul, afghanistan. 5 insurgents used suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive device gain entry british council offices. having made entry compound manoeuvred strong defensive position rain down small arms fire , rockets , detonate suicide vests against rescue force. incident complex in nature. not enemy determined , well-equipped, 5 british nationals isolated within compound.

lance corporal smith arrived on scene other members of nzsas supporting afghan crisis response unit (cru). part of supporting plan lance corporal smith moved over-watch position 30 metres away insurgents’ stronghold. nzsas personnel, including lance corporal smith, began prepare plan rescue hostages , assist cru clear compound of insurgents.

at approximately 11.35 (local time) corporal douglas grant, member of task force, moved across backyard of target building link other nzsas members. whilst rushing stairwell corporal grant mortally wounded insurgent fire. not known corporal grant had fallen or condition in.

with no concern personal safety, lance corporal smith pushed exposed position view , confirm corporal grant’s exact location. lance corporal smith saw corporal grant lying inside small structure above him @ top of stairs. without hesitation lance corporal smith requested move corporal grant’s position in order render first aid, told troop commander wait ballistic shield. during period lance corporal smith’s position receiving significant volume of insurgent machine gun , rifle fire.

once lance corporal smith received ballistic shield, took 2 deep breaths, gave troop commander positive nod , ‘go’ call issued. covering fire over-watch positions directed towards insurgents lance corporal smith jumped fray. once again without thought personal safety, leapt on wall , across exposed , open ground , same stairs corporal grant had been shot. while, insurgent bullets impacting around him. lance corporal smith threw himself room corporal grant lay , then, cool , professional resolve, began providing immediate medical treatment. corporal grant not yet confirmed dead , lance corporal smith, trained in advanced patrol paramedic techniques, applied first aid wound , commenced cpr, continued administer until corporal grant evacuated building in care of task force medic. evacuate corporal grant safely, lance corporal smith had call other task force members knock hole in brick wall of building , corporal grant in. lance corporal smith calmly returned fight. during stage again exposed himself enemy fire engage insurgents effectively. took part in blowing large hole in outer wall of compound , other members of task force minimise open ground had cover panic room british captives hiding. lance corporal smith provided covering fire captives rushed safety through compound wall.

throughout entire incident lance corporal smith displayed extreme calmness under pressure, tremendous personal bravery, , utmost professionalism whilst under continuous insurgent fire. result of lance corporal smith’s actions corporal grant received best medical treatment possible, task force able recover 5 british nationals alive , insurgent threat neutralised.