In 2018 Challen , along with his dive partner Richard Harris was involved in a cave rescue operation in Thailand to evacuate 12 children and an adult from the flooded Tham Luang Cave system . On 24 July 2018 , Challen was awarded the Star of Courage ( SC ) and Medal of the Order of Australia ( OAM ) by the Governor-General of Australia for his role in the rescue . On 7 September 2018 Challen was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Direkgunabhorn by the King of Thailand
cave rescue operation in Thailand
Tham Luang cave rescue
Craig Challen