The Sun Military Awards

The Sun Military Awards (televised as A Night of Heroes: The Sun Military Awards since 2009) is an annual awards ceremony which honours members of the British armed forces and civilians involved with the forces. The awards are organised and sponsored by The Sun newspaper. The award trophies are designed and hand-made by British Silversmith and porcelain designer Kerry O'Connor.
During the televised ceremony, awards known as "Millies" are given out. The awards and their recipients are chosen by a select panel of ten judges, made up of national figures and military chiefs. Nominees of all but one of the categories are selected by the general public, with the remaining category winner chosen by the judges.
The first ceremony aired on Sky1 and was hosted by Tess Daly, but from 2009 until 2014, the awards were televised on ITV and are presented by Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden. It currently airs on Forces TV.
==Ceremonies==
Year	Presenter 	Broadcaster	Location
2008	Tess Daly 	Sky1 	Hampton Court Palace
2009	Phillip SchofieldAmanda Holden	ITV 	Imperial War Museum
2010	Phillip SchofieldAmanda Holden	ITV 	Imperial War Museum
2011	Phillip SchofieldAmanda Holden	ITV 	Imperial War Museum
2012	Phillip SchofieldAmanda Holden	ITV 	Imperial War Museum
2013	Phillip SchofieldAmanda Holden	ITV 	National Maritime Museum
2014	Phillip SchofieldAmanda Holden	ITV 	National Maritime Museum
2015	Tom Bradby 	Forces TV 	Guildhall
2016	Lorraine Kelly 	Forces TV 	Guildhall
2017	Lorraine Kelly 	Forces TV 	Banqueting House, Whitehall
2018	Lorraine Kelly 	Forces TV 	Banqueting House, Whitehall
2019	Lorraine Kelly 	Forces TV 	Banqueting House, Whitehall
 	Lorraine Kelly 	 	
==2008==
The 2008 award ceremony was presented by Tess Daly, taking place on 16 December at Hampton Court Palace and was aired on Sky1 before Christmas that year.
Award 	Details 	Recipient(s)
Best recruit 	For a young recruit, of any rank and service, who has demonstrated outstanding potential in initial training. 	Able Seaman Jamie Campbell
Best Armed Forces Animal 	For the most remarkable service from a service animal; to recognise the vital role of animals in the forces; on operations, during ceremonial duties or at home. 	Treo and Corporal Dave Heyhoe
Life Saver Award 	For a service individual, whether a member of the medical chain or not, who has performed an extraordinary life-saving act) 	Lance Corporal Jan Fourie
Most Outstanding Airman 	For the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the RAF over the last year. 	Warrant Officer Jack MacFarlane
True Grit: Group 	For a small unit or group of men or women from any service who have together performed a single act of true grit – through courage, determination or self-sacrifice – be it on or off duty.	Royal Marines Armoured Support Group
Support to the Armed Forces 	For a civilian, a civil servant, a contractor or just an ordinary member of the public, who has provided invaluable help to the Armed Forces. 	Bryn Parry, Emma Parry, Jeremy and Francie Clarkson; Help For Heroes
Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine 	For the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the Royal Navy or Royal Marines over the past year. 	Leading Seaman Lee Duffy
Most Outstanding Soldier 	For the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the Army over the past year. 	WO2 Ian Farrell
True Grit: Individual 	For an individual serviceman or woman who has performed a single act of true grit – through courage, determination or self-sacrifice – be it on or off duty. 	Captain Simon Cupples
Overcoming Adversity 	To recognise individuals who have suffered injury or illness, and yet have overcome their significant difficulties with fortitude. 	Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson
Best Unit 	The winner of this award can either be a major or minor unit that has excelled consistently over the year, for example with notable achievements on an operational deployment. 	The Chinook Force
Judge's Award for Special Recognition	For outstanding service by an individual or group, and not recognised elsewhere. 	Christine Bonner2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment
==2009==
The 2009 award ceremony took place on 15 December 2009, and was broadcast on ITV on 21 December at 9pm. Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden were the presenters for the first time.
The judges included John Terry, Jeremy Clarkson, Kelly Holmes, Ross Kemp and four ex-Service chiefs.
Award 	Recipient(s)
Overcoming Adversity 	Marine Ben McBean, 40 Commando Royal Marines, Plymouth, Devon
Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine 	Able Seaman Medical Assistant Kate Nesbitt MC, attached to 1st Battalion, The Rifles, Plymouth, Devon
Most Outstanding Soldier 	Corporal Mark Powis MC, 1st Battalion The Rifles, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
Most Outstanding Airman 	Flight Lieutenant John Walmsley, RAF Odiham, from Edinburgh
Best Reservist 	Able Seaman Edmund Grandison, , Royal Naval Reserve, from Tyseley, Birmingham
Support to the Armed Forces 	The town of Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire
Life Saver Award 	Corporal Carl Thomas, 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, Liverpool
True Grit Home 	Acting Chief Petty Officer David Rigg, Fleet Air Arm, RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall
True Grit Overseas 	Sergeant Andrew McNulty, 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, Catterick, North Yorkshire
Best Unit 	The 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, Ballykinler, Northern Ireland
Judges' Award for Special Recognition	Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group & Afghan Heroes
==2010==
The 2010 award ceremony was televised on ITV, on 20 December 2010. The ceremony was presented by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.
Award 	Recipient(s)
Overcoming Adversity 	Corporal Andy Reid, 3rd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment
Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine 	Sergeant Major Buck Ryan, 40 Commando
Most Outstanding Soldier 	Warrant Officer II Karl Ley, 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment RLC
Most Outstanding Airman 	Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune, No. 27 Squadron RAF
Best Reservist 	Squadron Leader Sarah Charter
Support to the Armed Forces 	Denny Wise
Life Saver Award 	Corporal Ricky Fergusson, 4th Battalion, The Rifles
True Grit 	Sergeant Keith Best, RAF Search and Rescue Force
Best Unit 	1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment
Judges' Awards for Special Recognition	Heroes of SanginRAF Bomber Command
==2011==
The 2011 award ceremony took place at the Imperial War Museum on 19 December 2011 and was televised on ITV, on 21 December 2011, at 8.30pm. It was hosted by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.
The winners were:
Award 	Recipient(s)
Overcoming Adversity 	Private Scott Meenagh, 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment
Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine	Petty Officer Aircrewman Mike Henson,
Most Outstanding Soldier 	Sergeant Ryan McReady, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
Most Outstanding Airman 	Flight Lieutenant Michael Anderson, RAF Odiham
Best Reservist 	Air Engineering Technician Michelle Ping, Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch
Support to the Armed Forces 	Walking with the Wounded
Life Saver Award 	RAF Tactical Medical Wing
True Grit 	Private Lee Stephens, 3rd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment
Best Unit 	42 Commando Royal Marines
Judges' Special Award 	
Judges' Special Award 	RAF Search and Rescue
==2012==
The 2012 award ceremony was again held at the Imperial War Museum on 6 December 2012 and was televised on ITV, on 15 December 2012 at 9pm and were hosted by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.
Award 	Recipient(s)
Overcoming Adversity 	Captain Si Maxwell, Royal Marines
Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine	Corporal Justin Morgan, Royal Marines, 771 Naval Air Squadron
Most Outstanding Soldier 	Lance Corporal Sean Jones, 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
Most Outstanding Airman 	Sergeant Roy Geddes, No. 51 Squadron RAF Regiment
Best Reservist 	Private Simon Sunderland, Royal Logistic Corps
Support to the Armed Forces 	Nikki Scott, founder "Scotty's Little Soldiers"
Life Saver Award 	Lance Corporal Hayley Ridgeway, 1st Battalion, The Rifles
True Grit 	Corporal Oliver Kennedy, 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
Best Unit 	3rd Battalion, The Rifles
Judges' Special Award 	Complex Trauma Team, Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court
Judges' Special Award 	Operation Olympics (military contribution to 2012 London Olympic Games)
==2013==
The 2013 award ceremony took place at the National Maritime Museum on 11 December and was televised on ITV on 16 December from 9pm. The ceremony was once again hosted by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.
Award 	Recipient(s)
Overcoming Adversity 	Corporal Josh Boggi, Royal Engineers
Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine 	Petty Officer (Naval Nurse) Emily McCullough, Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service
Most Outstanding Soldier 	Rifleman Josh Dodds, B Company, 4th Battalion, The Rifles
Most Outstanding Airman 	Sergeant Anna Irwin, 18 (Bomber) Squadron RAF
Best Reservist 	Lance Corporal Keith Mallon, Royal Yeomanry
Support to the Armed Forces 	Families' Activity Breaks charity
Life Saver Award 	Sergeant Rachael Robinson, 22 Squadron, RAF Search and Rescue Force
Best Unit 	904 Expeditionary Air Wing, Tornado Detachment
Judges' Awards for Special Recognition	Veterans of the Battle of the Atlantic.Camp Bastion's Support to Operations personnel
==2014==
The 2014 award ceremony took place at the National Maritime Museum on in December and was televised on ITV on 18 December from 8.30pm. The ceremony was hosted by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield. 
Four specially created awards marked the end of combat operations in Afghanistan, with the recipients chosen from previous winners of awards.
Award 	Recipient(s)
The Fire-fight 	42 Commando Royal Marines
The Bomb Hunters 	Warrant Officer II Karl Ley, 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment RLC
The Life Savers 	Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune, No. 27 Squadron RAF; Air Engineering Technician Michelle Ping, Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch
Brothers in Arms 	3rd Battalion, The Rifles
Support to the Armed Forces 	My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures
Hero Abroad 	HMS Illustrious
Home-Front Hero 	Corporal Daniel Botterell, 36 Engineer Regiment
Judges' Awards for Special Recognition	Commonwealth War Graves Commission
==2015==
The 2015 awards took place at Guildhall, London and were presented by Tom Bradby.
Award< 	Recipient(s)
Most Outstanding Soldier 	Major Andrew Todd, 2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles
Best Reservist 	Major Henry Dowlen, Royal Marines Reserves, London
Overcoming Adversity 	Former Lance Corporal Dean Bousfield, Royal Army Medical Corps (Veteran)
Judges' Award for Special Recognition	The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force
Support to the Armed Forces 	Pilgrim Bandits
Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine 	Petty Officer Seamen Specialist Luke Hallis,
Judge's Award for Special Recognition	The Invictus Games Foundation
Most Outstanding Airmen 	Sergeant Michael Beamish, 1564 Flight, 905 EAW.
Best Unit Award 	
==2016==
The 2016 awards were presented by Lorraine Kelly on 14 December. They were televised on Forces TV. 
Award 	Recipient(s)
Hero at Home Unit 	11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment RLC
Judges' Special Recognition	2nd Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
==2017==
The 2017 awards were presented by Lorraine Kelly for the second time. The event took place on 13 December and were televised on Forces TV. 
Award 	Recipient(s)
Hero at Home - Individual 	Lieutenant Jared Bambridge, 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, Army
Best Reservist 	Corporal Phillip Keogh, 335 Medical Evacuation Regiment, Army
Hero at Home - Unit 	Southern Diving Unit 2, Royal Navy
Overcoming Adversity 	Former Senior Aircraftman Luke Wigman, RAF Regiment, RAF and former Captain Ibi Ali, The Yorkshire Regiment, Army
Hero Overseas – Individual 	Leading Seaman Sally Hughes, HMS Dragon, Royal Navy
Hero Overseas – Unit 	UK Reaper Squadron, RAF
Inspiring Others 	SPEAR 17, Army
Innovation Award 	Warrant Officer Paul Moonan, Royal Navy
Judges’ Award for Special Recognition	Operation Ruman
Support to the Armed Forces 	Veterans with Dogs
==2018==
The 2018 awards were presented by Lorraine Kelly for the third time. The event took place on 13 December and were televised on Forces TV.
Award 	Recipient(s)
Hero at Home - Individual 	Cdr Andrew Parkinson, Commanding Officer Navy Combined Cadet Force
Best Reservist 	Cpl Isabell Hutchinson, 299 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers
Hero at Home - Unit 	Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Task Force
Hero Overseas – Individual 	LCpl Chris May, LCpl Dean Priestley, Tpr Stuart Finlay, Tpr Ross Woodward, Tpr James Astbury, Tpr Zak Davidson
Hero Overseas – Unit 	HMS Daring
Inspiring Others 	Major Scotty Mills, Royal Marines
Innovation Award 	Defence Science and Technology Laboratory – Sepsis research
Support to the Armed Forces	There But Not There
==2019==
The 2019 awards were presented by Lorraine Kelly for the fourth time. The event was televised on Forces TV.
Award 	Recipient(s)
Judges Special Award 	Royal British Legion and D-Day veterans
Hero at Home - Individual 	Lance Corporal Craig Daniel
Best Reservist 	Lieutenant Commander Tracey MacSephney
Hero at Home - Unit 	18 and 27 Squadron, RAF Odiham
Hero Overseas – Individual 	Flight Lieutenant Aaron Kerry
Hero Overseas – Unit 	HMS Argyll
Inspiring Others 	Private Fin Doherty
Innovation Award 	Scar Free Foundation
Supporting the Armed Forces	All Call Signs
Overcoming Adversity 	Rifleman Craig Monaghan
== References ==
Category:British awards
Category:Military of the United Kingdom
Category:ITV (TV network) original programming
Category:Sky UK original programming
Category:2008 in British television
Category:2009 in British television
Category:2010 in British television
Category:2011 in British television
Category:2012 in British television
Category:2013 in British television
Category:2008 establishments in the United Kingdom
Category:Award ceremonies in the United Kingdom
Category:Awards established in 2008
Category:The Sun (United Kingdom)
Category:Charles III, King of the United Kingdom
Category:Awards by newspapers