The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour “in the face of the enemy”. It takes precedence over all other orders, decorations and medals. VCs are cast from the bronze cascabels of two cannons that were captured from the Russians at the siege of Sevastopol in 1854-1855.
Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey receives the Victoria Cross from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. L/Cpl Leakey became the first living British recipient of the medal from the Afghan conflict for his courage in three times running through heavy fire to set up machine guns and beat back a Taliban attack in August 2013. The 1 Para man showed “complete disregard” for his own safety as the group came under attack from around 20 insurgents armed with machine guns and rocket propelled grenades in Helmand province.
This medal by the way is awarded by most of the British Commonwealth / Empire Armed Forces. The troops call it the Very Careless Medal by the way. As you really have to not have a care / death wish in the world to win it.