Queen Beatrix has knighted platoon commander Marco Kroon into the Military William Order for bravery during commando actions in Uruzgan. The ceremony on Friday morning in The Hague was attended by Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, princess Máxima and the full cabinet.

The Military William Order is the Netherlands' highest military decoration. It is very rarely awarded. Commander Kroon is the first individual officer in 50 years to receive the honour. In 2006 a Polish parachute brigade received the distinction in recognition of its wartime efforts in the Netherlands during operation Market Garden in 1944.

There are currently eight Dutch, one US citizen and two Canadians who are Knights in the Dutch Military William Order.