Pete Walne, also known as Soldier I, is a retired SAS soldier who gained worldwide recognition for his involvement in rescuing hostages during the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege. Born on November 11, 1954, in England, Pete Walne joined the British Army in 1973 and later became a member of the elite Special Air Service (SAS) team. On May 5, 1980, six armed men took over the Iranian Embassy in London, taking 26 hostages. The SAS was called upon to rescue the hostages and ended up storming the embassy after negotiations failed. During the mission, Walne was one of the soldiers who went into the building and rescued hostages, which included a pregnant woman and a child. Walne's bravery and skills during the Iranian Embassy siege earned him widespread recognition, and he was awarded the Military Medal for his actions. After retiring from military service, Walne went on to work in private sector security. He remains a symbol of bravery and heroism in the fight to keep the country safe.
