An Australian soldier has been awarded a Victoria Cross for gallantry in Afghanistan.
Trooper Mark Donaldson received the award for his rescue of an interpreter for the coalition forces under heavy fire during an ambush in Oruzgan Province.
The ABC reports nine Australian soldiers were wounded in the action on 2 September last year.
He was presented with the award in Canberra on Friday.
The award for exceptional bravery is the 96th Victoria Cross to be conferred on an Australian soldier.
It is the first to be awarded to an Australian soldier in more than 40 years.
The Victoria Cross was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856.
