If I haven't already, I shall retract my 'useless FC' statement. I gave him a teleporter pack and it made him live longer. Much, much longer. Helped that I found a Thunder Hammer that gave +19% Melee damage, and also that I found a seal that gave +30 armour, and adds some armour to everyone around him.
I also gave him one of the Termie suits, cause I found an extra set of Storm Shields & Thunder Hammers. Not to mention I found a kickass heavy bolter. I shifted the seal to Thule, since this time 'round he's a melee spec, and usually fighting along side the FC and Thaddeus. I found it incredibly funny that the Orks, during one defense mission, couldn't stop Thule, and he was rampaging around the map, slaughtering all the Orks.