Hubbry Logo
Mark DonaldsonMark DonaldsonMain
Open search
Mark Donaldson
Community hub
Mark Donaldson
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Mark Donaldson
Mark Donaldson
Mark Donaldson
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Mark Gregor Strang Donaldson, (born 2 April 1979) is an Australian soldier and a recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia, the highest award in the Australian honours system. Then Trooper Donaldson was a member of the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) when he exposed himself to enemy fire to protect injured troops and then rescued an interpreter under heavy enemy fire in the Battle of Khaz Oruzgan during Operation Slipper, the Australian contribution to the War in Afghanistan. He was presented with the decoration by the Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, in a ceremony in Canberra on 16 January 2009. On 25 January 2010, Donaldson was named the 2010 Young Australian of the Year.[1] He was promoted to corporal in June 2010.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Donaldson was born on 2 April 1979 in Waratah, New South Wales, the younger son of Greg, a Vietnam War veteran, and Bernadette Donaldson. He grew up in the small northern New South Wales township of Dorrigo, attending Dorrigo High School, a small state public school,[2] until 1996.[3] In 1995, his father died suddenly of a heart attack, and Mark and his brother became wards of Legacy, one of their legatees being a former member of the same Army unit their father had served in.[4]

In 1998, when Donaldson was 19 and attending art college in Sydney, his mother disappeared. She is presumed murdered and an investigation into the disappearance is ongoing.[4] Donaldson left full-time education and took a variety of physically demanding jobs in Australia and overseas.[4]

Military career

[edit]

2002–2008

[edit]

Donaldson enlisted in the Australian Army on 18 June 2002. He trained at Army Recruit Training Centre, Kapooka, winning prizes as the best shot and best at physical training in his platoon. Detailed to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps, he then underwent further training at Singleton, where he won prizes again for shooting and physical training, and also as most outstanding soldier in his platoon. He was then posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, based in Townsville, Queensland.[5]

From February to April 2004, Donaldson completed the SASR selection course, and was posted to 3 Squadron in May 2004. He has since seen service in East Timor, Iraq (Operation Falconer) and Afghanistan (Operation Slipper).[5] During his deployment to Afghanistan, he was slightly wounded on 12 August 2008 when the Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle he was travelling in struck an improvised explosive device.[5][6]

Victoria Cross for Australia

[edit]
Video of the investiture ceremony at Government House, Canberra, on 16 January 2009

The actions for which Donaldson's Victoria Cross for Australia were awarded took place on 2 September 2008. Patrolling with Afghan and US forces, they were ambushed by a well-prepared and larger Taliban force. The ambush began with sustained machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire, causing several casualties. Donaldson deliberately exposed himself to fire from the Taliban fighters in order to draw their attention away from the casualties, allowing them to be moved to cover. When the patrol attempted to withdraw, the number of casualties was such that the unwounded personnel (including Donaldson) had to make their way on foot, beside their vehicles, as the casualties filled the vehicles. As they set off, it was realised that an Afghan interpreter attached to the patrol was wounded and had not been loaded into the vehicles. Donaldson immediately crossed the 80 metres (87 yd) or so of open ground between the convoy and the interpreter, under heavy fire, and then carried him back to the vehicles where Donaldson administered first aid. The patrol eventually broke free of the ambush after two hours.[5]

When asked about the incident, Donaldson commented: "I'm a soldier, I'm trained to fight ... it's instinct and it's natural. I just saw him there, I went over and got him, that was it."[3] The events were first reported by the Australian press on 12 December 2008 following a briefing by Major General Tim McOwan on 11 December.[7][8] At this stage, Donaldson was identified only as "Trooper F".[9] Donaldson then became the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia on 16 January 2009; he was presented with the medal by the Governor-General at a ceremony in Government House, Canberra.[5][9]

The official citation was published in a special edition of the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette of 20 January 2009 and states (in part) that the award was made for " ... most conspicuous acts of gallantry in action in a circumstance of great peril in Afghanistan, as part of the Special Operations Task Group during Operations SLIPPER, Oruzgan province, Afghanistan."[10][11] Seven days after the medal presentation, Donaldson lent his VC and other medals to the Australian War Memorial in an official ceremony. The medals were placed on display at the end of February 2009.[12] Donaldson was subsequently received in audience by the Queen, Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle on 10 November 2009.[13][14]

Subsequent career

[edit]

After being presented with his VC, Donaldson requested permission to remain a member of the SASR and participate in operational postings. This was approved by Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, and Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie. Donaldson subsequently served in Afghanistan for a four-month period in 2009, made a brief deployment to the country in early 2010 and deployed again in 2013. He was also promoted to the rank of corporal in 2010 after completing a junior leaders course.[15]

The M4 carbine used by Donaldson during the action for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia on display at the Australian War Memorial

On 11 November 2009, Donaldson and British VC recipient Johnson Beharry handed a wreath to the Queen during a service in Westminster Abbey which marked the deaths in 2009 of the last three veterans of the First World War resident in the United Kingdom, Bill Stone, Henry Allingham and Harry Patch. The wreath was then laid on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.[16][17] While Donaldson was in London, news emerged in Afghanistan that Sarbi, an explosives detection dog that was declared missing in action after the 2 September ambush, had been found alive and well by an American soldier.[18][19] Donaldson said of the news that it "closed a chapter in their shared history" and "She's the last piece of the puzzle ... Having Sarbi back gives some closure for the handler and the rest of us that served with her in 2008. It's a fantastic morale booster for the guys."[18][20] Donaldson was announced as the Patron-in-Chief of the military charity Soldier on Australia on 4 October 2014.[21]

In a May 2014 interview with the Australian Financial Review's Christopher Joye, Donaldson disclosed that he had been shot in the leg during a contact in Afghanistan: "This 35-year-old 'shooter' has also been clipped through his left hamstring, where a slug remains to remind him of why he should never have traversed a track while a Taliban carrying night-vision goggles zeroed in with an AK-47." He also spoke about killing terrorists: "Pressed on the burden of taking another life, he says that rubbing out bad guys in "gun fights" – a notably "more personal experience than dropping bombs from jets" – is just a "part of the job". Donaldson is at peace with a profession that few have the mental or physical equipment to pursue: "I don’t get nightmares, mate. Sure you remember stuff; I just don’t dwell on it."[22]

Personal life

[edit]
Donaldson with family (centre) and other dignitaries after the investiture ceremony.

Donaldson is married to Emma, and has a daughter[5] and a son. He has written a memoir called The Crossroad, which was published by Macmillan in 2013. Emma had described him as being "married to the army".[23] Donaldson says of himself: "I don't see myself as a hero, honestly. I still see myself as a soldier first and foremost."[23]

Honours and awards

[edit]
Five medals with their ribbons and clasps, including the Victoria Cross for Australia
Donaldson's medals on display at the Australian War Memorial in March 2009

Ribbon Description Notes
Ribbon of the Victoria Cross for Australia Victoria Cross for Australia (VC) 2009[11]
Ribbon of the AASM Australian Active Service Medal with ICAT clasp[24]
Ribbon of the Afghanistan Medal for Australia Afghanistan Medal [24]
Ribbon of the ASM Australian Service Medal
Ribbon of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal 2012
Ribbon of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal 2022
Ribbon of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal King Charles III Coronation Medal 2023[25]
Ribbon of the Defence Long Service Medal Defence Long Service Medal for 15–19 years service
Ribbon of the ADM Australian Defence Medal [24]
NATO Medal for the Non-Article 5 ISAF Operation in Afghanistan with clasp ISAF[24]
Ribbon of the Unit Citation for Gallantry Unit Citation for Gallantry with Federation Star Awarded to Special Air Service Regiment for extraordinary acts of gallantry in Afghanistan, from 25 August 2005 to 2 September 2006, in support of the security and stabilisation operations in Afghanistan and the International Coalition against Terrorism.[26]
Meritorious Unit Citation Meritorious Unit Citation with Federation Star Awarded to Task Force 66 in the 2015 Australia Day Honours
Infantry Combat Badge [24]

On 25 January 2010, Donaldson was named the Young Australian of the Year 2010. That evening, at a public event on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra, the Prime Minister (Kevin Rudd) and the National Australia Day Council Chair (Adam Gilchrist) presented Donaldson with a handmade glass award and praised his achievements.[1]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mark Donaldson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Mark Gregor Strang Donaldson, VC (born 2 April 1979) is an Australian soldier and the first recipient of the (VC), the highest military decoration in the Australian honours system, awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy. Donaldson enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in 2002 and was posted to the (SASR) in 2004, serving in operations including East Timor, , and multiple deployments to . On 2 September 2008, while part of a joint Australian, , and Afghan National Army convoy in Oruzgan Province, , his patrol was ambushed by a numerically superior force employing heavy weapons and from elevated positions. As a trooper, Donaldson repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy to rescue a critically wounded Afghan interpreter, first dragging him to cover and then, under sustained attack, manoeuvring to draw away from the casualty and enable extraction, actions that suppressed the enemy and allowed the patrol to regain the initiative. For his extraordinary courage, Donaldson was awarded the VC in January 2009, with the investiture conducted later that year; he was subsequently promoted to corporal and continued operational service, including as a military working dog handler. His decorations also include the Australian Active Service Medal, Afghanistan Medal, NATO non-Article 5 Medal for ISAF operations, and unit citations for gallantry. In 2010, Donaldson was named Young Australian of the Year, recognizing his leadership and contributions beyond the battlefield.

Early Life

Childhood and Family Background

Mark Donaldson was born on 2 April 1979 in Waratah, a of , as the youngest son of Gregor Donaldson, a , and Bernadette Donaldson. He had one older brother, Brent. The family later moved to the rural town of Dorrigo in northern , where Donaldson spent much of his early years. Donaldson attended Dorrigo High School, completing his education there in 1996. His father's military service as a veteran of the Vietnam conflict provided a backdrop to the family environment, though Donaldson initially showed little interest in following suit. The household faced significant upheaval in his mid-teens when Gregor Donaldson died suddenly of a heart attack in 1995 at age 47, after which Mark and his brother became wards of Legacy, a support organization for dependents of deceased Australian Defence Force members. Three years later, in April 1998, Bernadette Donaldson vanished from Dorrigo; a subsequent coronial in 2009 concluded she had been murdered by an acquaintance, Christopher Watt, who later died by , though her remains were never recovered. These events marked the effective end of his immediate family structure during his late .

Adolescent Struggles and Formative Influences

During his teenage years, Donaldson experienced significant family upheaval that profoundly shaped his early development. His father, Gregor Donaldson, a , died in 1995 when Mark was 16, leaving the family in emotional and financial distress. A few years later, his mother, Bernadette, disappeared under mysterious circumstances and was presumed murdered, exacerbating his sense of abandonment as he navigated late adolescence without parental guidance. These losses contributed to a period of rebellion and . Donaldson engaged in petty , including fights and such as on trains, while adopting a punk lifestyle involving heavy drinking and street living, particularly in . He held various low-skilled jobs in and overseas, drifting without clear direction and teetering on the edge of incarceration, as he later reflected on his path toward potential jail time. Formative influences emerged from this adversity, including an emerging of personal accountability and the legacy of his father's , which instilled a latent respect for amid chaos. Graduating from Dorrigo High School in rural , where he spent much of his youth, Donaldson began confronting existential questions of purpose, ultimately channeling his unrest toward structured outlets like enlistment. This phase of struggle fostered resilience, as evidenced by his later accounts of rejecting a cycle of aimlessness in favor of self-judgment based on long-term contributions.

Military Enlistment and Training

Initial Army Entry and Basic Training

Donaldson enlisted in the Australian Army on 18 June 2002. He entered recruit training at the Army Recruit Training Centre in Kapooka, , the primary facility for initial soldier training. During basic training, Donaldson displayed early proficiency in soldiering skills, particularly in marksmanship and . He received platoon-level awards for best shot, best physical training, and most outstanding soldier, reflecting his superior performance among recruits. These achievements highlighted his potential in roles ahead of completing the program.

SASR Selection Process

The (SASR) selection process serves as a stringent gateway for serving personnel seeking to join the unit, emphasizing physical endurance, mental fortitude, and navigational proficiency under duress. Candidates first complete the Entry Test (SFET), an initial screening involving extended pack marches—such as 20-kilometer carries with 28-kilogram loads completed within specified times—swim assessments, and benchmarks, and to establish baseline capabilities. This phase filters applicants rigorously, with failure rates high due to the demands on aerobic capacity, strength, and recovery. Those advancing proceed to the core SASR Selection Course, a condensed but intensely demanding evaluation lasting approximately three weeks, centered on long-range navigation exercises in austere , often in Western Australia's Bindoon Area. Participants carry heavy bergens (backpacks) exceeding 30 kilograms over multi-day routes, with minimal food, water resupply via checkpoints, and enforced to test and resilience. The process incorporates "hills phases" with progressive distance and load increases, culminating in solo or small-team patrols assessing self-navigation via and , evasion techniques, and psychological stability amid isolation and fatigue. Overall attrition exceeds 70 percent, as the course prioritizes innate aptitude over prior , weeding out those unable to maintain performance without external motivation. Mark Donaldson, then a trooper in the Royal Australian Regiment after enlisting in 2002, undertook the SASR selection from February to April 2004, navigating these challenges successfully despite the high failure rate. Informed of his passage in April at age 23, Donaldson described the accomplishment as profoundly validating, reflecting the personal stakes involved in overcoming prior infantry service limitations. This led to his posting to 3 Squadron SASR in May 2004, marking his transition to roles.

Combat Deployments

East Timor and Iraq Operations

Donaldson enlisted in the Australian Army on 18 June 2002 and initially served with the before completing the rigorous (SASR) selection course from February to April 2004, after which he was posted to I Troop, 3 Squadron in May 2004. His subsequent deployments included two rotations to East Timor, one of which fell within the Mission of Support to East Timor (UNMISET) from 2002 to 2005, involving stabilization and peacekeeping efforts amid post-independence tensions. As an SASR operator, his roles in East Timor likely encompassed , , and support to multinational forces, though specific operational details remain classified consistent with protocols. In Iraq, Donaldson conducted two tours following his SASR assignment, with service linked to Operation Falconer, Australia's contribution to the coalition invasion and subsequent stabilization phases against insurgent threats. SASR elements, including 3 Squadron, focused on raids, intelligence gathering, and counter-terrorism missions in volatile areas, contributing to the unit's recognition via a Meritorious Unit Citation for actions during the initial phase from March to May , though Donaldson's personal involvement postdated this period due to his enlistment timeline. These deployments honed his skills in and small-team tactics, preparing him for later , but no public records detail individual engagements or casualties attributed to him in these theaters.

Afghanistan Engagements Prior to 2008

Trooper Mark Donaldson, serving with the (SASR), commenced his first operational deployment to in May 2006 as part of Operation Slipper, Australia's contribution to the (ISAF). This six-month rotation focused on counter-insurgency operations in southern provinces, including reconnaissance missions, direct action against command nodes, and intelligence gathering to disrupt (IED) networks and insurgent supply lines. SASR elements, including Donaldson's squadron, operated in high-threat environments, often mentoring Afghan National Army units and conducting joint patrols with coalition partners such as U.S. Special Forces. The broader SASR efforts during the 2005–2006 period, encompassing the tail end of Donaldson's tour, earned the regiment a Unit Citation for Gallantry for extraordinary acts in from 25 August 2005 to 2 September 2006, highlighting sustained combat operations that neutralized key threats and protected allied forces. Specific details of Donaldson's individual engagements remain classified, consistent with the operational security of activities, though his service contributed to the regiment's role in stabilizing contested areas amid escalating activity. No public records detail wounds or awards from this tour, unlike his subsequent 2008 deployment.

Victoria Cross Action

Circumstances of the Award-Winning Incident

On 2 September 2008, Trooper Mark Donaldson, serving with the Special Operations Task Group Rotation VII in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, was part of a combined Afghan, United States, and Australian convoy consisting of five vehicles returning to base following a fighting patrol. The convoy came under heavy ambush from enemy forces positioned on high ground, initiating intense close-quarters combat with machine gun, rocket-propelled grenade, and small arms fire. In the initial moments of the engagement, Donaldson, positioned in the lead vehicle, immediately suppressed the enemy assault by firing 66 mm and 84 mm anti-armour rockets, as well as sustained bursts from his rifle, to regain the initiative and protect his comrades. He repeatedly exposed himself to draw concentrated fire away from wounded and pinned-down team members, maneuvering between positions of cover while under continuous enemy suppression. Amid the chaos, Donaldson observed a wounded Afghan interpreter lying motionless and exposed approximately 80 meters away near a burning , vulnerable to ongoing heavy fire. Without hesitation, he sprinted across the open terrain, retrieved the critically injured interpreter—who weighed over 100 kilograms—and carried him back to partial cover behind a , all while rounds impacted around them. These actions exemplified sustained gallantry in the face of overwhelming odds, directly contributing to the survival of personnel during the .

Tactical Details and Immediate Aftermath

On 2 September 2008, during Operation Slipper in , , a combined convoy of Australian (SASR) troops, forces, and Afghan National Army personnel was conducting a fighting when it was ambushed by a numerically superior and entrenched force. The enemy, positioned on along a approximately 4-kilometer ambush stretch, opened with sustained machine-gun bursts and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), employing rolling tactics that pinned the convoy and inflicted numerous casualties while suppressing the patrol for over two hours. Trooper Donaldson immediately dismounted his vehicle and exposed himself to intense enemy fire to regain the initiative, maneuvering aggressively to engage insurgents with 66mm and 84mm anti-armour weapons alongside his rifle, thereby distracting the enemy and allowing comrades to reposition wounded personnel to cover. Observing a critically wounded Afghan interpreter lying motionless and exposed approximately 80 meters from the vehicles in the kill zone, Donaldson sprinted across open terrain under accurate, sustained gunfire to reach him, then hoisted the man and carried him back to safety despite ongoing enemy suppression. Upon securing the interpreter, Donaldson administered , including , while continuing to direct and provide medical assistance to other casualties amid the raging battle. In the immediate aftermath, Donaldson's repeated acts of gallantry disrupted the enemy's momentum, enabling the patrol to reorganize, suppress firing positions, and establish a temporary break in the assault, which facilitated the extraction of casualties and the convoy's eventual withdrawal to base. The interpreter survived due to the timely rescue and treatment, though full details on total coalition losses or enemy casualties from the engagement remain classified or undisclosed in public records.

Later Military Service

Post-VC Deployments and Roles

Following his investiture with the on 16 January 2009, Donaldson continued operational service with the (SASR), including further rotations to . In June 2010, he completed leadership training requirements and was promoted to . Donaldson undertook specialized roles within the SASR, including as a military working dog handler, supporting operations that involved canine units deployed to starting in 2010. He also assumed training responsibilities, instructing other soldiers on tactics and experiences drawn from his service. Donaldson retired from the Australian Army in 2015 after over a decade of service, transitioning to civilian roles while maintaining involvement in veteran and defence-related activities.

Retirement from Active Duty

Following the award of the , Donaldson continued serving in the (SASR), where he took on roles mentoring and training incoming operators, contributing to the unit's operational readiness. By this time, he had been promoted to the rank of . Donaldson retired from in the Australian Army in 2015, concluding a 13-year career that began with his enlistment on 18 June 2002. His service encompassed multiple combat deployments to East Timor, , and , as well as rigorous selection and operational expertise development. No public retirement ceremony details are documented in official records, reflecting the low-profile nature typical of SASR personnel transitions.

Post-Military Contributions

Consulting and Defence Industry Involvement

Following his retirement from the Australian Army around 2017 after a 15-year career, Mark Donaldson entered the defence industry in advisory roles that drew on his experience. In 2017, he joined Defence Australia as a Strategic Defense Adviser, concentrating on defence market strategy to deliver high-quality outcomes for the company and its personnel. In this capacity, Donaldson also led the Boeing Veterans Working Group in and collaborated with to engage veteran-owned businesses. Donaldson transitioned to NIOA, a fully Australian-owned supplier of weapons systems and munitions to the Australian Defence Force, on 4 October 2019, serving as a Strategic Adviser. There, he advises on land and joint domain operations to advance the company's key defence pursuits and equipment delivery to ADF units. These positions reflect Donaldson's application of operational expertise from multiple combat deployments to enhance private-sector defence capabilities, without involvement in independent consulting firms.

Public Speaking and Motivational Engagements

Following his retirement from the Australian Army in , Donaldson has pursued a career as a , focusing on themes of , resilience, and overcoming adversity drawn from his experiences. He is represented by multiple speaker agencies, including Saxton Speakers and Celebrity Speakers, where he delivers presentations emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility, , and effective decision-making under pressure. Donaldson frequently addresses military audiences to inspire current and aspiring soldiers. In November 2023, he visited the School of Infantry at , sharing accounts of his action to motivate recruits on courage and gallantry. He also delivered the Commemorative Address at the Australian War Memorial's Dawn Service on April 25, 2019, reflecting on and service in combat. In corporate and community settings, Donaldson's engagements promote motivational insights for civilian professionals. Agencies describe his talks as highlighting how his early-life challenges and SAS operations inform strategies for crisis leadership and mental fortitude, with events including corporate breakfasts and veteran support functions such as a November 2023 appearance hosted by Another Day. Through these, he aims to equip audiences with tools to confront personal and professional obstacles, attributing success to disciplined thought and action.

Authorship and Publications

Mark Donaldson authored the memoir The Crossroad: A Story of Life, Death and the SAS, published by Pan Macmillan in 2013. The book chronicles his troubled youth in rural , enlistment in the Australian Army, progression through the , selection into the , and the 2008 incident in that earned him the . It emphasizes themes of personal resilience, comradeship, and the demands of operations without sensationalizing combat details. The publication received positive reception for its straightforward narrative and authenticity, becoming a national bestseller in . Donaldson collaborated with a but maintained narrative control to ensure fidelity to his experiences. No subsequent books or major publications by Donaldson have been issued as of 2025, with his post-military focus shifting toward speaking engagements and consulting rather than ongoing literary output.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Mark Donaldson was born on 2 April 1979 in Waratah, a of , to Gregor Donaldson, a veteran, and Bernadette Donaldson. He grew up in Dorrigo, northern , with an older brother, Brent. In 1995, at age 15, his father died suddenly of a heart attack at 46. Three years later, in 1998, his mother disappeared and was later confirmed murdered by an acquaintance infatuated with her, leaving Donaldson and his brother as wards of the Legacy organization, which provided support for children of deceased veterans. Donaldson met his wife, Emma, while serving in the (SASR); she worked as a communications specialist with SASR support staff. The couple married prior to his 2008 deployment to and have two children: daughter Kaylee, born in 2006, and son Hamish, born in 2011. They reside in . No public records indicate separation or divorce as of 2025.

Philanthropy and Veteran Advocacy

Following his , Donaldson was appointed Patron-in-Chief of Soldier On, an Australian charity dedicated to supporting wounded, injured, and ill current and ex-serving Defence Force members and their families through programs in , , and adaptive sports. The appointment occurred on 4 October 2012, as announced in a Soldier On media release. In this role, he has promoted the organization's efforts to aid veterans facing (PTSD) and reintegration challenges, emphasizing practical assistance for transitioning to civilian life. Donaldson has actively advocated for veterans by delivering public addresses and participating in initiatives focused on , resilience, and service recognition. In September 2021, he collaborated with Open Arms—Veterans & Families Counselling Service—to share personal insights on the emotional impacts of deployment, particularly in the context of the withdrawal, highlighting the need for ongoing support among serving members and veterans. He has visited military training facilities, such as the School of Infantry in Singleton in November 2023, where he recounted his experiences to motivate recruits on courage and gallantry. Similar engagements continued into 2025, including a February visit to ' Trainee Rehabilitation Wing to inspire personnel with tales of operational bravery. His advocacy extends to broader veteran welfare, drawing from his own early-life challenges after losing his father—a Vietnam veteran—to suicide, for which he credits organizations like Legacy with providing stabilizing support. Donaldson has encouraged young Defence personnel to pursue , such as through property investment, to mitigate long-term vulnerabilities common among veterans. These efforts underscore a commitment to and systemic improvements in veteran outcomes, informed by his firsthand military and post-service observations.

Honours and Awards

Victoria Cross and Military Decorations

Trooper Mark Donaldson, serving with the , was awarded the for extraordinary gallantry during a fighting on 2 September 2008 in , . A combined Australian, United States, and Afghan convoy transporting a dismounted came under sustained ambush from a numerically superior force estimated at up to 150 fighters, employing small arms, machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenades from elevated positions. Despite the intensity of fire, Donaldson voluntarily exposed himself multiple times to retrieve casualties, including dragging a severely wounded American soldier 80 metres across open ground under direct enemy observation while returning fire. His actions, conducted with complete disregard for personal safety, suppressed enemy firing points, prevented further casualties, and allowed the force to consolidate and extract, ultimately saving lives and enabling mission continuation. The award, the first since its re-establishment in 1975, was announced by on 16 January 2009, recognizing Donaldson's pre-eminent act of valour as the only living recipient of the national variant at that time. The official citation, published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 20 January 2009, emphasized his initiative in assaulting an enemy position alone to neutralize a nest, further disrupting the . Donaldson received the medal from during an investiture ceremony at , on 25 July 2009. In addition to the Victoria Cross, Donaldson holds a range of campaign and service medals reflecting his deployments to East Timor, , and multiple tours in , as well as unit and long-service awards:
DecorationDescription
Australian Active Service MedalFor operational service in designated areas, including East Timor (2003) and .
Afghanistan MedalAwarded for service in the Australian contribution to the war in Afghanistan.
NATO Medal for ISAFRecognizes participation in the operations in .
Australian Service MedalFor non-warlike service, including contributions.
Defence Long Service MedalFor 15 years of effective service in the .
Australian Defence MedalFor service during specified periods of warlike operations.
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)Commemorative award for service personnel.
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022)Commemorative for long-serving defence members.
(2023)For eligible personnel.
Meritorious Unit CitationAwarded to his SASR unit for gallantry in .
Unit Citation for GallantryFor collective outstanding service in .

Civilian Recognitions and Citations

In 2010, Donaldson was awarded the Young Australian of the Year title by the National Australia Day Council, honouring his demonstrated valour in combat operations and subsequent advocacy for military personnel transitioning to civilian life. This national recognition, presented annually to individuals under 31 exemplifying leadership and service, highlighted Donaldson's actions during the 2008 ambush in Khaz Uruzgan Province, , for which he had received the , alongside his efforts to inspire resilience in others. Donaldson has received citations for his post-service contributions, including his role as Patron-in-Chief of Soldier On, a non-profit organization aiding ex-service members with rehabilitation and employment, appointed on 4 October 2012 to leverage his experience in supporting veteran welfare. No additional civilian medals, such as those from the in a non-military category, have been publicly documented.

References

  1. https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/stories/biographies/mark-gregor-strang-donaldson
  2. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10015140
  3. https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/mark-donaldson-vc
  4. https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-private-pain-of-a-national-hero-20090124-gdtaz4.html
  5. https://victoriacrossonline.co.uk/mark-gregor-strang-donaldson-vc/
  6. https://www.smh.com.au/national/murder-inquest-ends-with-dna-link-to-stalker-20090804-e8kt.html
  7. https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/mark-donaldson-how-legacy-helped-shape-victoria-cross-recipient/news-story/edf089ef3309a09d5fd74017cd232ff8
  8. https://www.successfulspeakers.com.au/mark-donaldson-vc
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0R0huwLIcE
  10. https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/mark-donaldson-vc-winner-from-zero-to-hero-20140531-ivd3d
  11. https://www.keynoteentertainment.com.au/speakers/motivational-speakers/corporal-mark-donaldson-vc
  12. https://norepublic.com.au/first-vc-in-forty-years-2/
  13. https://vcgca.org/our-people/profile/8/cpl-mark-donaldson
  14. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1231817
  15. https://www.ovations.com.au/speakers/corporal-mark-donaldson
  16. https://www.armywarhog.com/post/australian-special-forces-selection-sfet
  17. https://www.buildingtheelite.com/australian-sasr-selection-process-sfet-training/
  18. https://greydynamics.com/sasr-australias-special-air-service-regiment/
  19. https://www.halogen.org.au/speaker.php?speakerid=153
  20. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/mark-donaldson-vc-id-go-back-if-i-was-asked-to/news-story/5ad45906d60e8582e89a79d0b0aa75f9
  21. https://www.sasassociation.org.au/history
  22. https://www.facebook.com/SOCOMD/posts/fifteen-years-ago-tomorrow-02-september-2008-australian-army-special-forces-sold/603536555299659/
  23. https://www.smh.com.au/national/vc-hero-donaldson-promoted-to-corporal-20100629-zi5n.html
  24. https://australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/corporal-mark-donaldson-vc
  25. https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2024-07-24/mans-best-friend-still-hero-12-years
  26. https://indopacificexpo.com.au/event-detail/457/
  27. https://www.celebrityspeakers.com.au/speakers/mark-donaldson-vc/
  28. https://defence.nioa.com.au/latest-news/mark-donaldson-vc-joins-team-nioa
  29. https://www.boeing.com/features/2020/11/i-wasnt-just-a-number-at-boeing-i-was-stepping-into-a-team-again
  30. https://www.saxton.com.au/speakers/mark-donaldson
  31. https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-11-15/vc-recipients-stories-inspire-young-soldiers
  32. https://anotherday.org.au/our-event/an-evening-with-mark-donaldson-vc/
  33. https://www.icmi.com.au/mark-donaldson/
  34. https://www.abebooks.com/9781742612287/Crossroad-Mark-Donaldson-1742612288/plp
  35. https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/8661220
  36. https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2016/09/14/71540/mel-gibson-options-donaldsons-the-crossroad/
  37. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/mark-donaldsons-road-to-receiving-the-highest-military-honour/7755248
  38. https://www.platinumspeakers.com.au/speaker/corporal-mark-donaldson-vc/
  39. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/voodoo-medics-part-six-mark-donaldsons-courage-under-fire-forged-by-the-tragic-death-of-his-parents/news-story/80b24ad6fe94315006de6ef155aa113b
  40. https://www.monumentaustralia.org/themes/people/crime/display/109765-bernadette-donaldson
  41. https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/6649226/edition-1293-october-25-2012-department-of-defence
  42. https://www.openarms.gov.au/home/responding-situation-afghanistan/veteran-perspectives/daniel-keighran-vc-mark-donaldson-vc
  43. https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-02-21/vc-recipients-inspire-troops
  44. https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/industry/16348-vc-recipient-urges-young-defence-members-to-take-a-risk-on-property-investment
  45. https://www.facebook.com/specopsmag/posts/mark-donaldson-is-a-former-australian-special-air-service-regiment-sasr-operator/1342697880577459/
  46. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1264418
  47. https://www.sasresourcesfund.org.au/static/uploads/files/citation-mdonaldson-wfxzqajvasvs.pdf
  48. https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-16349
  49. https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/trooper-donaldson-vc
  50. https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Mark_Donaldson
  51. https://www.australiansas.com/citations-of-valour
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.