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Pictured: Captain John Pettinger, left, with ‘D’ Patrol during the Falklands War.

A Falklands War hero who played an instrumental role in the pivotal victory at Mount Longdon is selling his bravery medals for £120,000.

Captain John Pettinger, of 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, carried out six daring reconnaissance operations behind enemy lines ahead of the fierce 12 hour battle.

Under the cover of darkness, he identified numerous machine gun and mortar positions among the rocky terrain, even entering occupied trenches undetected despite the enemy being just 'metres away'.

During the ensuing assault, Capt Pettinger, patrol commander of D Company, acted as a guide to the men of B Company and also killed three of the enemy. By the battle's conclusion, the British had occupied a key position around the Argentine garrison at Port Stanley.

Capt Pettinger's heroics on June 11-12, 1982 led to him being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, second only to the Victoria Cross for acts of gallantry. He is now selling his medals with London based auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb.