Iraq war hero Johnson Beharry received Britain's top military honour - the Victoria Cross - yesterday and was told by the Queen: "You're very special."

Private Beharry said: "She said that she doesn't get to present the VC very often."

The Queen had just pinned the award for valour on the 25-year-old soldier's khaki tunic after hearing an account of his extraordinary bravery.

Twice, the young soldier, formerly a painter and decorator, cheated death to save his colleagues and was left in a coma with serious head wounds.

"When I hear what I did, I can't really believe it was me," he said at the Buckingham Palace investiture.

"But what I did was my choice - I knew I had to get everyone out because I wouldn't have been able to live with myself otherwise.

"I think it's the training that just kicks in."

Pte Beharry, of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, outranked Britain's top soldier, General Sir Michael Jackson, for the day.

The junior soldier's investiture took precedence to the general's. He was knighted, receiving the honour of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.

General Jackson said: "I was overshadowed today by Pte Beharry - and quite rightly so. It was an honour to stand alongside him."

Pte Beharry, from Hampshire, becomes the first living recipient of a VC since 1965.

Lieutenant Colonel H Jones and Sergeant Ian McKay received posthumous awards after the 1982 Falklands War.

Pte Beharry was struck by a bullet as he guided a Warrior armoured convoy through the flashpoint town of Al-Amarah last May.

A month later, he saved more lives during a second ferocious fire fight and suffered serious head injuries when a rocket-propelled grenade exploded in his face.

Still recovering from his wounds, and bearing a scar across his forehead, he said: "I know I'm lucky to be alive."

Born on the Caribbean island of Grenada, he joins only 13 other living holders of the prestigious medal.

Record-breaking solo round-the-world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur was also at the Palace to receive her damehood.