b. 1976 Newcastle upon Tyne.
DATE OF CGC ACTION: 15-16/01/2019 Nairobi, Kenya.
Christian Craighead CGC MBE
Christian Craighead (not his real name) was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1976. He joined the Army aged just 16 in 1992, and over the course of his army career would earn 14 medals. He eventually entered service into the SAS. Craighead is most well known for his heroic efforts to save hostages during a terror siege in Nairobi in 2019.
The soldier was in Kenya helping to train the country’s security forces when jihadi militants from the al-Shabaab terror group launched an attack on the DusitD2 hotel complex in the capital Nairobi on January 15. He wore a shield badge on his tactical vest and a balaclava over his face, while indicating an “Agent” insignia to bystanders. He was joined by Dan J. Prastalo, a Slovenian and member of the Diplomatic Protective Services Tactical Response Unit (DPS-TRU). Craighead led the group clearing each floor of the office and car park buildings. They were heard shouting call sign “Eagle Eagle Security Forces” as they tried to call out hostages that were hiding. Both individuals were seen on the mainstream media clips escorting groups of hostages and carrying wounded ones, before running back into the complex while the attackers were shooting down on them. Australian High Commission security detail also exchanged fire with the terrorists as they made their way into the complex, injuring one attacker. While it had been thought that the attack had been neutralized after a few hours, gunfire and explosions were again heard early on 16 January.
Footage of Craighead’s solo mission was seen around the world and earned him the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC), the UK’s second-highest military award. But it also caused friction between Criaghead and the rest of his SAS unit, who are accustomed to operating away from the spotlight, with their heroic deeds going largely unrecognised. In September that year it was revealed that Craighead had quit the unit, walking out of its base in Hereford, and he was later pictured in Washington DC meeting President Donald Trump, who personally congratulated him on his actions.
Craighead became well known on social media, but under strict rules, Special Forces troops must not discuss their missions in public or seek to ‘cash in’ on operations. These rules followed the actions of fellow ex-SAS members Chris Ryan and Andy McNab having raised the profile of the SAS by publishing a number of books. Craighead has written a book which details his exploits in the SAS entitled “One Man In” but following a legal action by the Ministry of Defence in 2023, he was banned from publishing the book or revealing any details.
After being defeated in his attempt to write about his heroics he turned to writing a children’s book and it was published in November 2023 and called The Wrong Wolf. It tells the story about a wolf who becomes a sheepdog and Craighead said on Instagram:’ It’s not the book you’re all waiting for, but nevertheless I’m still extremely proud of it. ‘The Wrong Wolf is a metaphoric story about a WOLF who becomes a SHEEPDOG. The book was inspired by episodes in my life and was written by me, from the heart.”
Craighead now lives in the United States where he works in security managment, and has appeared at rallies in support of President Donald Trump.
CGC CITATION:
Not gazetted.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: WITH RECIPIENT.