A ROYAL Navy officer murdered trying to stop a sailor carrying out a gun rampage aboard a nuclear-powered submarine has been awarded one of the highest medals for bravery.
Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux receives a posthumous George Medal – second only to the George Cross – for attempting to tackle Able Seaman Ryan Donovan as he ran amok on HMS Astute while it was docked in Southampton.
His widow Gillian said she felt "extremely proud" to know her husband's bravery was recognised.
Lt Cdr Molyneux, 36, a father of four from Standish, Wigan, tried to disarm Donovan after hearing shots on board the submarine on April 8 last year, but was shot in the head.
The gunman was then wrestled to the ground by Southampton City Council's leader, Royston Smith, and chief executive Alistair Neill, who were visiting.
In a letter to Lt Cdr Molyneux's widow, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope said: "In giving his life to save others Ian demonstrated courage of the highest possible order. His selfless actions displayed incredible presence of mind and singular bravery."
Mrs Molyneux said: "On behalf of myself and our children, I wish to express how extremely proud and humbled we all feel to know that Ian's remarkable bravery has been recognised with such a prestigious award."
Donovan was jailed for at least 25 years in September for murdering Lt Cdr Molyneux and attempting to murder Lt Cdr Christopher Hodge, Petty Officer Christopher Brown and Chief Petty Officer David McCoy.
The medal citation said: "Lt Cdr Molyneux, with complete disregard for his own safety, had deliberately made an effort to tackle the gunman, knowingly putting himself into extreme danger in order to try to safeguard others from personal injury.
"His actions were carried out in the highest possible service traditions of courage and selfless commitment."
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