8:14am UK, Thursday March 27, 2003

A Royal Marine Commando who was shot in the head four times has lived to tell the tale of his lucky escape.

Eric Walderman's life was saved by his tough Kevlar helmet after he was caught in enemy gun sights during a savage firefight in Umm Qasr.

gw2 180 marine lucky eric walderman helmet

Lucky: Eric Walderman

The four bullets ripped through the outer camouflage of the 25-year-olds' standard-issue helmet but were stopped by the ultra-tough protective Kevlar shell.

Just an inch lower and the father-of-one could have joined the list of British casualties.

His relieved partner, Lindsey Robinson, 25, at home with their son, Danny, two, said: "I can't believe it. He is so lucky to be alive. He's the luckiest man out there. I'm just so glad he's still alive."

Marine Walderman is part of 40 Commando's Alpha Company.

The former welder accomplished a life-long ambition by joining the Marines three years ago.

After 30 weeks training, he passed out on March 27, 2000, receiving the famous green beret.

He was also awarded the Commando Medal, the second highest commendation for new Marines, for being an outstanding new recruit.

He went to the Gulf on January 15.

Kevlar: The Facts

  • Kevlar is a polymer plastic fibre and was developed and manufactured by US firm DuPont in the mid-1960s.

  • Helmets made of Kevlar are 25%-40% more resistant to projectiles than their steel predecessors of equal weight.

  • Underwater, Kevlar is 20 times stronger than steel.

  • Kevlar body vests and helmets have saved the lives of more than 2,700 police and prison officers in the US alone, its manufacturers claim - and they have their own Kevlar Survivors Club.

  • Kevlar military helmets replaced the "steel pot" helmet in the late 1970s.

  • Scientists still do not know fully why Kevlar is so strong but believe it is because of its molecular composition.