An RAF pilot and former Kingston Grammar School student who landed his helicopter after being shot between the eyes by the Afghan Taliban has been honoured today.

Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune, 28, saved the lives of 20 people when he landed the Chinook after being shot during a fire fight between American and Afghan forces and heavily armed rebels in Helmand province near Garmsir.

He was given the Distinguished Flying Cross in today's operational honours list.

Flt Lt Fortune had landed to pick up casualties, despite being told it was too dangerous to land. After the casualties were loaded on board, a bullet bounced off the front of his helmet, where night vision goggles are attached, and went through, hitting him between the eyes leading to severe bleeding.

Other bullets hit the controls, damaging the stabilisation system of the helicopter, but Flt Lt Fortune managed to fly for eight minutes to land at Camp Bastion.

He was one of 131 member of the armed forces to receive awards today, recognising service in Afghanistan and national operations from October 2009 to March 2010.

The medal, founded in 1918, recognises exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy in the air, and is at the equivalent level to the Military Cross for exemplary gallantry on land.

Flt Lt Fortune, who now serves at RAF Odiham in north Hampshire, was the grammar school's hockey goalkeeper and was active in the cadet force, as well as serving as vice-captain of the London Road school.

His mother Anne lives in Worcester Park, and the Ministry of Defence said he still regards Kingston as his home town.