The operation was described as “the most dangerous thing the Army Medical Services has engaged in since the Korean War”.
Military medics from York went to Sierra Leone to treat people struck down by the deadly Ebola virus.
And on Thursday (December 3) the soldiers were awarded medals to honour their bravery and dedication.
Fifty Army and Royal Air Force medical staff from 34 Field Hospital marched onto parade in front of crowds of families and friends at the presentation held at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall.
They received the cross-Government Ebola Medal for Service in West Africa for the three-month operational tour in Sierra Leone.
They were part of a team of 100 Regulars and Reserves from all three services which treated those who cared for Ebola patients and later contracted the disease themselves.
The medals were presented by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Peter Scrope and the director general of the Army Medical Services, Major General Jeremy Rowan – his last engagement before leaving the Army.
Major General Rowan told the soldiers:
An enormous challenge, I say probably the most dangerous thing the Army Medical Services has engaged in since the Korean War.
Not only did you achieve on Operation Herrick the best poly trauma results in the world, you then went on to Sierra Leone and delivered better results than anyone else has achieved to date in the treatment of haemorrhagic viral fevers.
Quite extraordinary, very brave, very dedicated and I commend and thank you for it.