130: Leading Under Fire | Chris Finney

The Leadership Enigma

Chris Finney is the youngest solider to be awarded the George Cross for his actions whilst serving in Iraq. Today Chris is a family man and entrepreneur with an enduring point of view of his heroic actions, his leadership and his legacy.
The George Cross was created in September 1940 by King George VI and is ranked alongside the Victoria Cross.
Chris joined the army cadets aged 13 and the regular army at the tender age of 16. He trained at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate where by his own admission he grew up and started to understand what life without his parents would be like and how each day needed his full effort regardless of his personal levels of motivation as his life was now about discipline.
Chris joined The Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corp which resulted in him being deployed to Iraq on operational duties at 18 years old.
After only one week he crossed the border into Iraq and whilst on routine patrol Chris's armoured column was hit by what they didn't know at the time, was friendly fire delivered by an American A10 Tank Buster plane.
During the ensuing chaos, breakdown of command and communications, Chris found himself in a life or death situation. Chris had been injured by shrapnel, his gunner had multiple injuries including being shot by a 30mm round, he was unable to get his rifle, his vehicle was on fire and others were now running for their lives as the plane began to come round for a second attack. Whilst Chris's actions saved the life of his gunner Alan, he and others also had to make the heart wrenching decision not to make an attempt to save another gunner as it was simply too dangerous at the time and they had to accept the loss of one life as opposed to loss of multiple lives .
Chris was surprised to learn from his Commanding Officer that he was to be awarded the George Cross in recognition of his actions from her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
After leaving the military Chris had joined forces with Joe Calzaghe the former undisputed Middle Weight Boxing Champion of the World to raise funds for Help The Heroes.
Today Chris is happily married with three children running two garden centres as an entrepreneur and business owner.
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