Iraq hero puts medal on eBay

[Amelia]

Ananova:

Iraq hero puts medal on eBay

A hard-up soldier faces a court martial for trying to sell his top bravery medal on eBay.

Cpl Trevor Coult, who got a Military Cross for heroism in Iraq, said he needed the cash to support himself when he quits the Army.

But under Forces regulations, it is strictly forbidden for serving soldiers to sell medals, reports The Sun.

Top brass were furious as the Military Cross is so prestigious - with only the Victoria Cross and George Cross regarded as higher gallantry awards.

Trevor, 31, won the Cross for single-handedly defeating a suicide bomber's ambush in Baghdad in 2005. He put four other gongs on the auction website and wanted £80,000 for the lot.

Trevor, serving in the 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment, wrote: "I'm leaving the Army and need the money, otherwise wouldn't want to sell."

He told his furious CO he placed the ad only to see what price they could fetch. It has now been withdrawn from eBay.

The MoD said: "Action will be taken where necessary."

As a junior NCO, single Trevor, of Belfast, earns £23,000 a year.

Tory MP and former Army officer Patrick Mercer said: "If the Government paid soldiers properly, his hand may not have been forced in this way."

[Dr. Shane]

Well, John Kerry threw his metals away. I guess that wasn't illegal. Maybe selling them isn't illegal in the US either.