Crossword Genius

Company soldier died protected by second soldier (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

commando

'soldier' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'company soldier died protected by second' is the wordplay.
'company' becomes 'co' (abbreviation).
'soldier' becomes 'man' (I've seen this before**).
'died' becomes 'd'.
'protected by' indicates putting letters inside.
'second' becomes 'mo' (both are short periods of time).
'man'+'d'='mand'
'mand' put into 'mo' is 'mmando'.
'co'+'mmando'='COMMANDO'

(Other definitions for commando that I've seen before include "going this way is unbriefed?" , "Military raider" , "Royal Marine Corps soldier" , "Green Beret" , "Specialist soldier" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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