Samuel Shephard

For other people named Sam Shephard, see Sam Shephard (disambiguation).
Samuel Shephard
Born (1987-07-20) 20 July 1987
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Marines
Years of service 2011 – present
Rank Captain
Unit 40 Commando
Battles/wars War in Afghanistan
Awards George 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.[8]

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".[9] Soon after his award he became a member of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.[10][11]

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[9]

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. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 60398. p. 1160. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 60383. p. 205. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  7. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 60669. p. 21335. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  8. ↑ Nicol, Mark (9 November 2014). "George Cross for heroic efforts of Marine who tried desperately to save comrade who'd sunk 200ft to the seabed off Egypt after suffering an embolism". The Mail On Sunday. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  9. 1 2 The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 61008. p. 19314. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 07 August 2016.
  10. ↑ "About the VC and GC Association". Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  11. ↑ "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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