Fed: Aust to receive bravery award for UN bombing rescue effort

AAP General News (Australia)
12-27-2003
Fed: Aust to receive bravery award for UN bombing rescue effort

Eds: Embargoed to 0001 AEDT Saturday, December 27



CANBERRA, Dec 27 AAP - An Australian army officer who risked his life in rescue efforts
after terrorists blew up the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad is to be awarded a
bravery decoration.

Colonel William Jeffrey Bromfield Davie will receive the Bravery Medal for his efforts
to rescue trapped staff including the UN head Sergio Vieira de Mello.

Announcing the award, Government House in Canberra said Colonel Davie had acted without
regard to his personal safety in hazardous circumstances over a sustained period.

In the attack, terrorists detonated a truck bomb outside the UN headquarters in the
Canal Hotel, Baghdad, on August 19, demolishing much of the building and killing 22, including
Mr de Mello.

Colonel Davie witnessed the attack and immediately went to help rescue efforts.

"Without regard for his personal wellbeing, Colonel Davie entered the unstable building
site a number of times and personally assisted several United nations staff who were seriously
injured and evacuated from the building," the citations says.

Colonel Davie helped look for Mr de Mello in the devastated building.

"Once Mr Vieira de Mello was located, Colonel Davie stayed by his side and kept a constant
dialogue with him while at the same time maintaining efforts in trying to find a way to
remove Mr de Mello from the ruins."

AAP mb/cdh/de

KEYWORD: BRAVERY (EMBARGOED)

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