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SAS hero who killed terrorists in Kenyan hotel raid to get one of UK's top bravery honours

Kenyan policemen and explosives experts gather evidence from the car suspected to have been used by the attackers outside the scene where explosions and gunshots were heard at The DusitD2 complex, in Nairobi, Kenya January 17, 2019. REUTERS/Njeri Mwangi
Kenyan policemen and explosives experts gather evidence following the attack in the hotel in Nairobi in January (Picture: Reuters)

A member of the SAS who helped save hundreds of lives when he killed two terrorists during an attack in Kenya will be honoured.

The soldier will be given the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross bravery medal after he intervened when al-Shabaab militants raided Nairobi’s DusitD2 hotel on January 15.

The unnamed man helped to bring the bloodshed to an end after 21 people had been murdered in the gun and grenade assault, including British victim Luke Potter.

He had entered the hotel complex by himself and killed two of the terrorists after US Navy Seals requested his help when they were told to wait for permission to enter, the Sun reported.

A picture showed the soldier carrying an injured man who was bleeding from his back.

DusitD2 hotel complex is seen after security forces had killed all four militants who stormed the upscale hotel in Nairobi, Kenya January 16, 2019. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya
DusitD2 hotel complex is seen after security forces had killed all four militants (Picture: Reuters)

The 18-year veteran is expected to be awarded the bravery medal, which is only second to the Victoria Cross, by the Queen in the next two weeks.

A source said: ‘This is an incredible honour and truly deserved. What this man did will go down in the history of the SAS.

‘Yet it nearly didn’t happen after a row on the ground.'

They added: ‘People were dying, and they knew they had a man in their midst who could turn the tide. He had to go in.’

Workers are seen at the DusitD2 Hotel during its reopening ceremony since its closure following an attack by Al Shabaab-affiliated militant that killed at least 21 people in Nairobi, Kenya, July 31, 2019. REUTERS/Stringer
Workers are seen at the DusitD2 Hotel during its reopening ceremony on July 31 (Picture: Reuters)

Witness Lucy Njeri said she saw the SAS soldier carrying at least two wounded victims from the complex.

The serviceman, who was deployed in Kenya to help train soldiers, also reportedly helped to evacuate 700 people from the hotel.

Restaurant owner Joshua Kwambai added he saw the “masked white man” communicating with Kenyan authorities.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “We do not comment on Special Forces.”

What is the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross?

The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) is a bravery award given to members of the British Armed Forces.

The honour is only second to the Victoria Cross and was first awarded in 1995.

The CGC was created after a decision was made to remove military ranks while awarding military decorations.

The medal has been given to 60 people, including Corporal Wayne Kevin Mills who was the first recipient.

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