Samuel Shephard

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For other people named Sam Shephard, see Sam Shephard (disambiguation).

Samuel Shephard
Born (1987-07-20) 20 July 1987 (age 34)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Marines
Years of service2011–present
RankCaptain
Unit40 Commando
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan
AwardsGeorge Cross

Captain Samuel John Shephard, GC (born 20 July 1987) is a serving officer in the Royal Marines, who was awarded the George Cross in 2014 for his efforts to rescue a fellow officer, Lieutenant Damien "Day" Moran, during a diving exercise in Al-Qusayr, Egypt, the previous year.[1]

Early life and education[]

Shephard was born on 20 July 1987 in Craigavon, County Armagh, Northern Ireland.[2] He was educated at The Royal School, Armagh as a day pupil. In March 2004, he was the youngest player to win the Rugby Schools Cup against Campbell College in the final at Ravenhill, Belfast.[3] He studied at Queen's University, Belfast, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in marine biology and a Master of Science degree in fisheries and aquaculture.[4]

Military career[]

On 5 September 2011, Shephard was commissioned in the Royal Marines as a second lieutenant; he was subsequently promoted to acting lieutenant.[5] He was promoted to lieutenant on 13 December 2012,[6] and to captain on 1 September 2013.[7] In 2013, he served a four-month tour of duty in Afghanistan as part of the War in Afghanistan.[citation needed]

Honours[]

On 3 October 2014, Shephard was awarded the George Cross (GC), the highest award in the United Kingdom honours system for gallantry "not in the face of the enemy".[8] Soon after his award he became a member of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.[9][10]

On 3 August 2013, Lieutenant Shephard Royal Marines was snorkelling in Egypt during a diving exercise when a fellow diver, who was also his friend, suffered an embolism and sank rapidly to the bottom. Shephard rescued his friend's body from a depth of approximately 60 metres.

— Summary of George Cross award from the London Gazette[8]

References[]

  1. ^ "George Cross bravery award for friend who tried to save Kingston marine from tragic snorkelling accident". Surrey Comet. London. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  2. ^ "Main Page". VC and GC Association. 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Armagh win the Schools' Cup". BBC News. Belfast. 16 March 2004. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  4. ^ "SHEPHARD, Capt. Samuel John". Who's Who 2016. Oxford University Press. November 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  5. ^ "No. 60398". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 January 2013. p. 1160.
  6. ^ "No. 60383". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 January 2013. p. 205.
  7. ^ "No. 60669". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 October 2013. p. 21335.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "No. 61008". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 October 2014. p. 19314.
  9. ^ "About the VC and GC Association". Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  10. ^ "The Prince of Wales Hosts Afternoon Tea for Members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association". Getty Images. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
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