Joshua Gates

Colonel Joshua Gates (January 1, 1985) was a Rhodesian officer in the Rhodesian Army who commanded the 4th Rhodesian Afrikan Rifles during the Zimbabwe Border Crisis, Rhodesian-Zimbabwe War, Bosnia War, Congo Crisis and the Serbian-Croatian War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary gallantry during the Battle of Hell Canyon. He was also awarded the Legion of Honor by the Croatian Government for his heroism during the Serbian-Croatian War. 
== Biography ==
Joshua Lawrence Gates was born on January 1, 1985 in Salisbury, Rhodesia. He went to Ian Smith University for Psychology. Later he dropped out and joined the Rhodesian officer corps on January 15, 2005. In May he was assigned command to the 4th Rhodesian Afrikan Rifles, 1st Company but by October he was given command of the entire regiment. On May 16, 2005 he and his regiment was assigned to the border to help deal with the growing number of attacks by the ZPNA. In 2006 he married Jenna Van Dine. In 2011 he and his regiment were sent to Bosnia to participate in Operation Ghost Zone. In 2019 he was sent to garrison a small village in Fremont on border with Zimbabwe where he was attacked by Zimbabwean forces near Hell Canyon. In 2022 he was sent to Congo to protect citizens as a peacekeeping force but only stayed a few months before being pulled out.
== Rhodesian-Zimbabwe War ==
During the Rhodesian-Zimbabwe War he was involved in three different campaigns. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Hell Canyon.
==== Battle of Hell Canyon ====
He and his regiment were in combat for five straight hours trying to hold off the 13,000 strong Zimbabwe force. During the battle he single-handedly stopped a group 25 Zimbabweans from flanking his line. Later near the end of the battle he killed and captured 45 Zimbabweans. For his Actions he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
==== The Assistance Campaign ====
He also fought in the Assistance Campaign where rebel and Rhodesian forces fought the government forces.
== Serbian-Croatian War ==
During the Serbian-Croatian War he participated in the final two major battles, the 2nd Battle of Donsk and the Battle of Sebenca. He and his regiment also stayed back to help rebuild and stop rebel activities.
==== Battle of Sebenca ====
During the Battle of Sebenca Gates and his regiment charged the main line of Serbian forces and broke them. For his actions he was awarded the Legion of Honor Grand Cross grade by the Croatian Government.
== Awards and decorations==
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
===Medal of Honor Citation===
Rank and organization: Captain, 4th Rhodesian Afrikan Rifles. Place and date: At Hell Canyon, Fremont, October 6, 2019. Entered service at: Salisbury, S.P. Birth: Salisbury, S.P. Date of Issue: March 10, 2020.
Citation:
While enemy forces tried to flank his line he took them out and made the rout back therefore securing his line. During the same battle he also killed 15 and captured 30 enemies.