Bhanbhagta Gurung
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Bhanbhagta Gurung VC (1921-) is a Nepalese recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
He was about 24 years old, and a Rifleman in the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Gurkha Rifles, British Indian Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 5 March 1945 at Snowdon East, near Tamandu, Burma (now Myanmar), a section was pinned down by heavy enemy fire and was also being subjected to sniping from a tree. Rifleman Bhanbhagta Gurung killed the sniper and later when the section was again attacked, he dashed forward under continuous fire personally clearing four enemy foxholes and he also silenced a light machine-gun. With the help of a Bren gunner and two riflemen he then repelled an enemy counter-attack on the captured bunker with heavy losses. His action in clearing these positions was decisive in capturing the objective.
[edit] Further information
He is a living recipient. He later achieved the rank of Hon. Havildar.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Gurkha Museum (Winchester, Hampshire, England).
