Ben Roberts-Smith

Benjamin Roberts-Smith is a former Australian Army soldier who served in the Royal Australian Regiment and the Special Air Service Regiment. Enlisting in 1996, he deployed to East Timor in 1999 and subsequently joined the SASR in 2003. He completed multiple deployments, including service with the Security Detachment Iraq and six tours of duty in Afghanistan between 2006 and 2012.

During his service in Afghanistan, Roberts-Smith was highly decorated for his actions in combat. He was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his actions as a scout and sniper in 2006, and the Victoria Cross for Australia for his actions during the Shah Wali Kot Offensive in 2010. He later served as a patrol commander during his 2012 deployment, which resulted in a Commendation for Distinguished Service.

Roberts-Smith left full-time military service in 2013 and the Army Reserve in 2015. While initially celebrated as one of Australia's most highly decorated modern soldiers, his public reputation severely deteriorated following a 2023 Federal Court defamation ruling which found substantial truth to allegations of unlawful killings during his service in Afghanistan.