Michelle Norris

For the American journalist, see Michele Norris.
Michelle Suzanne Claire Norris

Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
Years of service 2005 – present
Rank Lance Corporal
Unit Royal Army Medical Corps
Battles/wars Iraq War
Awards Military Cross

Michelle Suzanne Claire "Chuck" Norris MC, RAMC is a British lance corporal and medic noted for heroism in the 2003 Iraq conflict.[1][2] She is the first woman to be awarded the Military Cross, while attached to The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment in Iraq. Norris was awarded her medal personally by Queen Elizabeth II on 21 March 2007 as the result of her actions in Iraq on 11 June 2006. [3]

Early life

Norris was born at Stourbridge, West Midlands, England.[2]

Military career

On 11 June 2006, Norris saw the most intense and largest battle in Iraq since 2004. A search operation in Al Amarah saw Norris's company group come under heavy sustained and accurate fire from a well-organized enemy force of more than 200.[4] Private Norris was serving as a Combat Medical Technician attached to the 1st Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment,[1] Norris (then aged 19) jumped out of her Warrior Patrol vehicle and climbed up the side of it to rescue the vehicle commander, Colour Sergeant Ian Page, who had been shot in the mouth, all while being heavily fired upon by snipers at night. One bullet hit the radio next to her knee while she was treating the wounded soldier.[5] She then helped drag the sergeant back into the vehicle while still being fired upon. Her commanding officer recommended that she receive a medal for her bravery, and the award of the Military Cross was gazetted on 15 December 2006.[6] She is the first woman to be awarded that decoration.[7] She received the decoration from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on 21 March 2007.[3]

Norris and Page were evacuated by a British Lynx helicopter, which was being flown by Lieutenant-Colonel William Chesarek USMC (then a Captain) as the result of an officer exchange programme.[3] Chesarek was subsequently awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross as a result of his actions on this occasion, receiving the award at the same time Norris received her Military Cross.

Awards

Military Cross (MC) (2006)
Iraq Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 Bunyan, Nigel (22 March 2007). "Big day for 5ft Army medic who won MC". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 22 March 2007.
  2. 1 2 "Duke opens Field of Remembrance". BBC news. 8 November 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 Glendinning, Lee (22 March 2007). "Historic award for female private". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. p. 8. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 March 2007.
  4. ↑ Danzinger (2010), p.57
  5. ↑ Danzinger (2010), pp.53–55
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 58183. p. 17359. 15 December 2006. Retrieved 11 November 2007.
  7. ↑ Wilkes, David (10 August 2006). "Heroine teenage soldier to be decorated for bravery". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. ISSN 0307-7578. Retrieved 22 March 2007.
Bibliography
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