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Anger and disappointment that only one Army officer involved in Siege of Jadotville to receive medal of gallantry

Jul 16, 2021 13:04 By radiokerrynews
Anger and disappointment that only one Army officer involved in Siege of Jadotville to receive medal of gallantry
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:On_duty_in_the_Congo_(4824407009).jpg#/media/File:On_duty_in_the_Congo_(4824407009).jpg via Irish Defence Forces
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The son of the Kerryman who led the Irish soldiers that survived the Siege of Jadotville says there's a lot of anger and disappointment that only his father has been recommended for a medal of gallantry.

The late Colonel Patrick Quinlan of Caherdaniel led the men as part of a UN peace-keeping mission in Congo in 1961, when they were attacked by 3,000 and held captive for over five weeks.

The men survived, but when they returned home were treated as cowards, and weren't approved for medals at the time.

An independent review group has concluded that Colonel Quinlan should receive a posthumous award of the Distinguished Service Medal, but the 33 soldiers he recommended for the award after the siege should not receive it.

Leo Quinlan, son of the late Colonel Pat Quinlan, says he's happy his father is getting an award, but he's bitterly disappointed for the other men.

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