No medal for Diggers who rescued Aussies from Taliban terror attack

A decorated First Nations former soldier and six other men who risked their lives to rescue Australian diplomats from Taliban terrorists have been refused bravery medals.

A decorated First Nations man and six other soldiers who risked their lives to save Australian diplomats from terrorists in Afghanistan have been rejected for bravery commendations or medals.

Francis Unmeopa-Shipway, a proud Torres Strait man of the Meriam people and the six other former Diggers were working as contracted security for the embassy operating out of the Serena Hotel in Kabul in 2008 when it came under attack.

Under fire and amid explosions, the men rushed into the hotel to rescue diplomats including acting ambassador Angela Tierney, who were hiding in a change room in the hotel gym.

Shot of one terrorists on a CCTV surveillance camera in the lobby of the Serena Hotel in Kabul.

During the bloody assault, to kill all foreigners including the then Foreign Minister and now Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, seven were killed and seven wounded including a UAE diplomat.

But despite detailed harrowing accounts and bravery recommendations by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade sent to officials from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PMC) and the office of the Governor-General, the nominations were inexplicably rejected.

Military contractor for the Australian embassy in Kabul and former ADF soldier Francis Unmeopa, formally Shipway. Picture: Supplied

“I think it would have been different if we had come home in body bags, then maybe we’d have been recognised,” Mr Unmeopa-Shipway said.

“I’m an East Torres Strait Island man and a member of the Stolen Generation. I was taken away when I was a young fella and I say that not for sympathy or to impress, but I know what discrimination feels like.

“It is wrong when you see recognition for nominations that get up and I’m not having a go at them because bravery is relative, police going into a building, rescuing a dog or someone drowning … our guys went into an unknown complex terrorist attack in a war zone. You can’t imagine the scene and we saved our own diplomats.”

Francis Sonny Unmeopa, formally Francis Shipway on ANZAC DAY 2021. Picture: Supplied

The men suspect it was rejected because it was an embarrassment that Australia’s embassy at the time was located in a hotel and protected by contracted security and not the Australian Defence Force whose headquarters was 2km down the road in a secure compound.

The Office of the Governor-General declined to comment.

Ms Tierney and DFAT First Secretary Stuart Shaw both recommended the men be recognised for courage.

A 2011 letter to PMC confirmed the nomination process for bravery citations for the team was done by DFAT twice in 2009 but “due to staff turnover” did not proceed.

Decorated First Nations former Australian Army soldier Francis Unmeopa Shipway. Picture: Charles Miranda

DFAT’s Angela Tierney, former Australian Charge d’Affairs to embassy in Kabul. Picture: David Foote

“While I have no hesitation in recommending bravery awards for all members of the security team, I would single out the actions of four members in particular,” Ms Tierney wrote, naming the four including Mr Unmeopa-Shipway.

“I believe that recognition of the high degree of courage and professionalism displayed by the security team is not only appropriate and deserved, but long overdue,” the memo states.

It is not clear when the nomination fell over but a review did not change the decision.

Another of the seven soldiers, known only as DG, said he was disappointed but not surprised.

“I don’t know if someone just thought we were guns-for-hire and it was too controversial, but yes I’m disappointed, but there’s not much we can do,” he said. A formal note of recognition would have been nice, he added.

Originally published as No medal for Diggers who rescued Aussies from Taliban terror attack