Victoria Cross hero Joshua Leakey receives medal
Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey with his Victoria Cross
The citation detailing his actions was read out before he was presented with the medal during and investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.
L/Cpl Leakey, from Hampshire, played down his actions and paid tribute to his comrades.
Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey as he is awarded a Victoria Cross by Queen Elizabeth II (PA)
He said: “It's great for my family, my friends, my regiment - but it does for me highlight the sacrifice everyone's made in Afghan, not just in terms of the loss of life and limbs but people going away for months on end."
He said he was "uncomfortable" being singled out for praise and everyone in the Paras relied on each other "massively".
Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey (Heathcliff O'Malley/The Telegraph)
He added: "To be singled out on your own is obviously a great honour and it's a privilege to be here - but I'm proud of my regiment - that's the privilege for me, I can't stress that enough."
The paratrooper with the regiment’s 1st battalion, was par t of a joint US and British mission to Bar Nowzad when some of his detachment came under heavy fire and were pinned down on a barren slope by Taliban fighters.
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A US Marine Corps captain was shot in the shoulder, their communication equipment was out of action and two friendly machine gun teams and a mortar section surrounded.
Despite being the most junior commander on the hill, L/Cpl Leakey ran down the slope to give first aid to the wounded US officer and moved him to partial safety.
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He then went back up the hill while being shot at, picked up one of the machine guns and opened fire on the Taliban as their bullets ricocheted off its frame.
Deciding more firepower was needed, he ran down the hill risking more bullets to get the second machine gun working.
The citation said: "Drawing the majority of enemy fire, with rounds splashing around him, Lance Corporal Leakey overcame his fatigue to re-site the gun and return fire. This proved to be the turning point."
L/Cpl Joshua Leakey is congratulated with a hug by Gen Sir Nick Carter (Heathcliff O'Malley/The Telegraph)
During the battle, 11 insurgents were killed and four wounded.
L/Cpl Leakey said: “It stands out for me as a memorable patrol, but it was just one job, one patrol out of multiple patrols.
"It's one of those things, you don't dwell on it because at the time I was halfway through the tour so you dwell on the next patrol and you're getting on with that.
"Paratroopers are well-drilled people, professional soldiers, we're the best at what we do, so in terms of 'Did you think about this? Do you think about that?', no, you just think about the task in hand."
L/Cpl Leakey is the second in his family to win the Victoria Cross. His second cousin twice removed, Sgt Nigel Gray Leakey, was a posthumous VC recipient in November 1945 for his gallantry while fighting in Africa during the Second World War.
The paratrooper is also the third British serviceman to receive the VC for service in Afghanistan and the only one not to receive it posthumously.
Highest award for gallantry
The VC was introduced in January 1856 by Queen Victoria to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War.
The bronze cross, which has a crimson ribbon, bears the inscription "For Valour". It is cast from the metal of Russian guns captured at the siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War.
The VC can be awarded to all ranks of the services - and also to civilians - to recognise gallantry in the presence of the enemy.
