RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam - overview of involvement.
The secondment, sanctioned or not, of these nine brave volunteers from B Company 2 RAR to the 135AHC was an historical event in the annals of the Australian Military. They left the relative security of their familiar tactics and operations for a vastly different style of the same operations. They freely gave their time and experience to help out their US Army comrades when it was needed while admitting that the experience left them with a better understanding of the war.
Lieutenant Commander Patrick Vickers and Major Carter both put their careers on the line by setting up this exchange and from reading the soldiers own tales of the missions undertaken during the exchange they were probably lucky that all nine escaped with nothing more than shattered nerves and good stories.
All nine of these soldiers achieved the required minimum hours for the award of the US Army Air Medal and their dedication to the task certainly merits due consideration. One can only hope that their efforts will be rewarded in the not too distant future.
During 2015 steps were taken by the RAN Fleet Air Arm to recognise the efforts of all the non-aircrew door-gunners, both Navy & Army, by awarding them special set of wings and a citation applauding their dedication and valour.
These wings and citations have now been presented to the 49 sailors and soldiers or Next of Kin.
An additional privilege recently granted to the nine soldiers was the placing of an individual bronze plaque on the ‘Wall of Service’ at HMAS Albatross, the home of the RAN Fleet Air Arm Nowra NSW.
The Wall is dedicated to those who served with a FAA unit in war or peace and incorporates plaques from all three Australian Defence Arms as well as members of both the Royal Navy and the United States Navy who have served with the RANFAA.
Defence Honours and Awards have been notified that all nine soldiers are also eligible for the award of the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
On 01 June 2018 the Australian Government awarded the RANHFV, including RAN, RAAF and RNZAF personnel who served in combat operations with the 135 AHC the UNIT CITATION for GALLANTRY.
The proclamation also awarded the citation to US Army members of the 135 AHC who served in the unit.
On 18 October 2018 the RANHFV was presented with the UNIT CITATION for GALLANTRY by the Governor General His Excellency Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC at the Australian War Museum.
Submitted 25 April 2023
by Jason Tillett
