Falklands War Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Wortley, England, he served as a Platoon Sergeant of Platoon 4, B Company, 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, British Army. During the night morning of June 12, 1982, the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, mounted a silent night attack on an enemy position at Mount Longdon in the Falkland Islands. Sergeant McKay was ordered to take Platoon 4 and observe the Northern side of the long East-West ridge held by the enemy. As his Platoon advanced it came under heavy fire from a number of well-sited enemy machine gun positions on the ridge. Realizing that no further advance was possible and his unit commander was hit by a bullet, Sergeant McKay took command to convert this reconnaissance into an attack in order to eliminate the enemy bunker positions. The assault was met by a hail of fire, with members of his platoon being killed and wounded. Despite these losses Sergeant McKay, continued to charge the enemy position alone and dispatched the enemy with grenades. However, Sergeant McKay was killed at the moment of victory with his body falling on the bunker. For most prestigious gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
Falklands War Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Wortley, England, he served as a Platoon Sergeant of Platoon 4, B Company, 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, British Army. During the night morning of June 12, 1982, the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, mounted a silent night attack on an enemy position at Mount Longdon in the Falkland Islands. Sergeant McKay was ordered to take Platoon 4 and observe the Northern side of the long East-West ridge held by the enemy. As his Platoon advanced it came under heavy fire from a number of well-sited enemy machine gun positions on the ridge. Realizing that no further advance was possible and his unit commander was hit by a bullet, Sergeant McKay took command to convert this reconnaissance into an attack in order to eliminate the enemy bunker positions. The assault was met by a hail of fire, with members of his platoon being killed and wounded. Despite these losses Sergeant McKay, continued to charge the enemy position alone and dispatched the enemy with grenades. However, Sergeant McKay was killed at the moment of victory with his body falling on the bunker. For most prestigious gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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