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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 181

(x) Seven: Warrant Officer Class 1 G. J. R. Latta, Small Arms School Corps, late Black Watch, who served in Afghanistan attached to the Mercian Regiment and earned an American Army Commendation Medal for his work in training the Afghan National Army

General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (25031386 Pte G J R Latta BW); N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Kosovo; Operational Service Medal 2000, for Afghanistan, 1 clasp, Afghanistan (WO2 G J R Latta SASC 25031386); Jubilee 2002; Army L.S. & G.C., Regular Army, E.II.R. (WO2 G J R Latta SASC 25031386); United States of America, Army Commendation Medal (WO G. Latta), good very fine (7)

USA Army Commendation Medal. The citation states:

'For meritorious service while deployed in support of operation enduring freedom as part of the combined security tranistion command - Afhghanistan. As a Warrant Officer with the NCO Training Team, Warrant Officer Latta has surmounted innumerable challenges to achieve all required of him. He has played a key part in training NCOs of the Afghan National Army, which bears testament to his leadership, dedication and professionalism. He has made an immense contribution to the ANA in spite of difficult working conditions. Warrant Officer Latta's conduct is a great credit to himself, The Small Arms School Corps, 19 Brigade and the coalition mission in Afghanistan (19 March - 16 September 2009).

Gary J. R. Latta served initially with the Black Watch on Operation Banner before transferring to the Small Arms School Corps. He first served in Afghanistan in 2009 and returned attached to 3rd Battalion, Mercian Regiment in 2011 on Operation 'Wild Cobra'. It was with them he conducted a shura with the village elders after patrolling in Abposhake Wadi and entering Shooragas village under the assistance of Lieutenant Gul Mohammed of the ANA. Having concluded their shura, they moved off to inspect a compound identified by the ANA and found themselves in a perfect killing area, as described by Corporal Dale:

'The company group was turned to face the firing positions and returned an aggressive initial rate of fire. As I lay firing position alongside the Afghan Tolay returning fire towards the now overwhelmed insurgent WO2 Latta informed me that I had now in fact lost my "Afghan cherry". During the contact the ANA dispelled quite a lot of myths and horror stories that I have picked up from pre-deployment training.'

Sold together with original certficate for the American award, in its folder and with security clearance, Warrant Officer's commission, dated 6 August 2007, besides photographs, cloth Badges and a copy of From Dust to Deutschland by Latta which was published in Man-at-Arms, Journal of the SASC.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£1,300

Starting price
£750