A Royal Air Force member who foiled a Taliban raid despite being blown off his feet in a grenade blast is to receive an award for his bravery.
Corporal Kurt Lee, 29, from Manchester, has been recognised for his “fearless” actions in attacking a bunker where insurgents said to be planning an assault on Camp Bastion lay in wait.
Cpl Lee led his men through gunfire to overpower the Afghan fighters in September last year.
The serviceman, of 51 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment Air Protection Wing, has been mentioned in despatches and will be presented with a silver Oak Leaf award.
The citation states how section commander Cpl Lee was creeping towards the bunker when the insurgents opened fire, the rounds missing him by less than two feet.
Two grenades were thrown and the blast knocked him off his feet, leaving him concussed. Despite this he fired into the base and helped clear it of five insurgents.
Cpl Lee is based at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray and will be presented with his award during Armed Forces Day celebrations in the town on Sunday.
He said: “It’s a great honour to be mentioned in despatches, particularly as there were so many others who faced the same dangers, many of whom sustained significant wounds at Camp Bastion that night and are still coming to terms with their injuries.
“I feel I’ll be representing them and the regiment when I receive the Oak Leaf at Armed Forces Day.”