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Sgt Ian McKay (died 1982) was a British soldier, and was posthumously awarded the highest award for British Military personnel - The Victoria Cross.
On the 11th\12th June 1982, Sergeant McKay lead a grenade attack on an Argentine Bunker during the Falklands War, and was killed in the action. At the time he was Platoon Sergeant of 4 Platoon, B Company, The 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment.
3 PARA were at the time fighting Argentine opposition on Mount Longdon in 1982.
This battle lasted 10 hours against a well prepared and dug in Argentine enemy. The Battalion lost a total of 22 men during the battle. Having secured Mt Longdon they then held it for 48 hours under intense artillery fire
Yearly troops from 3 PARA take part in a gruelling competition known as "The McKay VC". This involves long marches carrying heavy loads, assault courses and a shooting competition at the end.
Quite why this is inflicted on these troops in the name of Ian McKay is unclear, as it is widely rumoured Sgt McKay preferred playing football to any of the above activities!
Ian John McKay (7 May 1953 — 12 June 1982) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was 29 years old, and a Sergeant in the 3rd Bn., The Parachute Regiment, British Army during the Falklands War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 12 June 1982 on Mount Longdon, East Falkland, Falkland Islands, Sergeant McKay was in command of his platoon, its commander having been wounded in the leg. They were pinned down by heavy enemy fire and several of the men had been either killed or wounded. Sergeant McKay realized that something must be done and he charged the enemy position alone. He was killed in the moment of his victory but his action enabled his comrades to extricate themselves from a most dangerous situation.
please update if you know where his medal is publicly displayed
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