Topic: Australian Military Awards Including the VICTORIA CROSS (Read 1324 times)

Collo · « **on:** December 21, 2008, 09:41:01 PM »

I wrote this up on the old old forum for those interested so I got time up my sleeve so I'll do it again.

Below is our honours that we award to our ADF personnel. I'll do my best to work out an equivalent US award so you guys can see the weight they carry. If you have any questions not matter what they are post here or on PM and Ill do my best to answer.

Enjoy

1. The Victoria Cross for Australia (VC)

The highest honour bestowed upon an member of the Commonwealth. Her US counterpart with out saying is the Medal of Honor

The Victoria Cross for Australia was established in 1991 after Australia diverted away from the Imperial Honours System. The Imperial Victoria Cross dates back to 1856. Some 96 Australian servicemen have been awarded the VC; the last being awarded in 1969 to Warrant Officer Class 2 Kieth Payne VC during the Vietnam War.

Of the 96 awards; 94 have been made to members of the Australian Army and 2 to the Royal Australian Air Force. No awards have been made to a member of the Royal Australian Navy. 1 Australian Air Force officer whilst flying under RAF colours was awarded the VC in WWII however as at the time he was registered as RAF it does not count in the Australian tally.

As of today their are two living Australian winners of the VC. WO2 Kieth Payne (Vietnam) and Private Edward Kenna (WWII New Guinea).

Collo · « **Reply #1 on:** December 21, 2008, 09:48:43 PM »

The Star of Gallantry (SG)

Again; introduced in 1991 in the wake of the changes to our honours system; the Star of Gallantry is second only to the Victoria Cross. Her US counterpart would be the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross and the Air Force Cross.

To date only 2 have been awarded. One to a SNCO of 4 Battalion (Commando) Royal Australian Regiment for his action in saving a Canadian patrol in Afghanistan and another retro-actively awarded to Major Harry Smith SG for his actions as Coy Commander of Delta Coy 6Btn Royal Australian Regiment during the Battle of Long Tan.

Collo · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2008, 09:55:00 PM »

The Medal of Gallantry (MG)

The Medal of Gallantry is the third highest honour in combat that can be awarded to an Australian. The MG replaced the Military Cross in 1991 and has been awarded to some 33 members of the ADF. Her US counterpart is the Silver Star

Two notable recipients are Signalman Martin Wallace of the SASR for his actions during Shahi Kot Valley, Afghanistan in 2002 where he fought alongside troops from the US 10th Mountain Division.The other is Sergeant Mathew Locke of the SASR who was Killed In Action in 2007 during his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Collo · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2008, 11:59:31 PM »

Commendation for Gallantry

The Commendation for Gallantry is the fourth highest award for actions against an enemy force. Her US counterpart I would believe is the Bronze Star with "V"alor Device.

This award replaced the Imperial "Mentioned In Dispatches" in 1991.

Collo · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2009, 06:52:41 PM »

Just several minutes ago at the Governor Generals residence in Canberra; Trooper Mark Donaldson of the Special Air Service Regiment was presented with the Victoria Cross for Australia.

This is the first Victoria Cross to be awarded to an Australian since the Vietnam war. Trooper Donaldson VC is one of three living Australian recipients of the VC. He is also the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia which was introduced in 1991.

As that Trooper Donaldson is a member of the SASR; the citation and presentation has been kept close to chest until now so as I get more information I will post it. I would never believe that I would ever post a new VC recipient from my country. For us today is history.

Trooper Donaldson VC; a mere salute does not pay the appropriate respect for your valor.

Collo · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2009, 07:00:19 PM »

Australian SAS soldier Mark Donaldson awarded Victoria Cross

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UPDATE: Christian Kerr and staff reporters | January 16, 2009
Article from: The Australian

MARK Donaldson has become the first Australian soldier awarded the Victoria Cross in 40 years, for his "exceptional bravery" in service in Afghanistan.

Trooper Donaldson has been awarded the nation's highest military honour in a ceremony in Canberra this morning by Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

Trooper Donaldson was serving with the SAS in Oruzgan province in Afghanistan on September 2 last year when his unit was hit by an ambush, wounding nine Australians.

He deliberately drew enemy fire to allow wounded soldiers to escape and be taken to safety.

Then, "with complete disregard for his own safety" Trooper Donaldson ran back 80m across exposed ground to rescue a wounded coalition force interpreter and take him back to a vehicle.

His citation said he "displayed exceptional courage in circumstances of great peril" and saved the life of the interpreter.

An official Defence account of the action in December detailed the ambush and heroism of Australians, referring to Trooper Donaldson as Trooper F.

Major General Tim McOwan said a joint US, Australian and Afghan Humvee convoy was ambushed when returning to base after inflicting 13 Taliban kills a day earlier.

"In order to regain the initiative several SAS soldiers reacted to the ambush without regard to their own safety," Major General McOwan said.

"One soldier, whom I shall refer to as Trooper F, moved between positions of cover to engage the enemy, using anti-armour weapons as well as his personal weapon.

"The soldier deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire on several occasions in order to draw fire away from those soldiers who were already wounded in the initial heavy fire."

During an attempt to move the convoy away from the heavy enemy fire, a severely wounded Afghan interpreter fell from a truck. "Trooper F saw he had fallen and was lying to the rear in the open in ground being raked by machinegun fire," Major General McOwan said.

"Without prompting and without regard to his own safety, Trooper F went back to recover the wounded Afghan. He ran across about 80m of fire-swept and exposed ground, drawing intense and accurate machinegun fire from the entrenched enemy positions."

Trooper F lifted the wounded man on to his shoulders and carried him back to the vehicles before applying first aid and then returning to the firefight.

The Taliban ambush resulted in nine Australian soldiers being wounded, the most in a single action since the Vietnam War.

Ninety six Australians have been awarded the Imperial Victoria Cross.

Trooper Donaldson becomes the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia, which replaced the imperial honour in 1991.

The first Australian to be awarded a Victoria Cross was Captain Sir Neville Howse VC KCMG CB KStJ in 1900 during the Boer War. He also served in World War I and later as Commonwealth Minister for Health, Defence and Repatriation.

The most recent Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross was Warrant Officer Keith Payne VC OAM in 1969 for gallantry during the Vietnam War. Under heavy enemy fire Warrant Officer Payne instigated a daring rescue of more than forty men, many of them wounded, and led the party back to the battalion base.

Collo · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2009, 08:56:40 PM »

Below is a photo of Trooper Mark Donaldson VC and wife and another photo of the Trooper withe Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Kieth Payne VC. Kieth Payne is a winner of the VC from the Vietnam War. Kieth Payne VC also holds the US Distinguished Service Cross and the US Silver Star.

Collo · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2009, 11:37:23 PM »

AUSTRALIAN ARMY

TO BE AWARDED TO THE VICTORIA CROSS FOR AUSTRALIA

8248070 TROOPER MARK GREGOR DONALDSON

For most conspicuous acts of gallantry in action in a circumstance of great peril in Afghanistan as part of the Special Operations Task Group during Operation SLIPPER, Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan.

Trooper Mark Gregor Donaldson enlisted into the Australian Army on 18 June 2002. After completing Recruit and Initial and Employment Training he was posted to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. Having successfully completed the Special Air Service Selection Course in April 2004, Trooper Donaldson was posted to Special Air Service Regiment in May 2004.

On 2 September 2008, during the conduct of a fighting patrol, Trooper Donaldson was travelling in a combined Afghan, US and Australian vehicle convoy that was engaged by a numerically superior, entrenched and coordinated enemy ambush. The ambush was initiated by a high volume of sustained machine gun fire coupled with the effective use of rocket propelled grenades. Such was the effect of the initiation that the combined patrol suffered numerous casualties, completely lost the initiative and became immediately suppressed. It was over two hours before the convoy was able to establish a clean break and move to an area free of enemy fire.

In the early stages of the ambush, Trooper Donaldson reacted spontaneously to regain the initiative. He moved rapidly between alternate positions of cover engaging the enemy with 66mm and 84mm anti-armour weapons as well as his M4 rifle. During an early stage of the enemy ambush, he deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire in order to draw attention to himself and thus away from wounded soldiers. This selfless act alone bought enough time for those wounded to be moved to relative safety.

As the enemy had employed the tactic of a rolling ambush, the patrol was forced to conduct numerous vehicle manoeuvres, under intense enemy fire, over a distance of approximately four kilometres to extract the convoy from the engagement area. Compounding the extraction was the fact that casualties had consumed all available space within the vehicles. Those who had not been wounded, including Trooper Donaldson, were left with no option but to run beside the vehicles throughout. During the conduct of this vehicle manoeuvre to extract the convoy from the engagement area, a severely wounded coalition force interpreter was inadvertently left behind. Of his own volition and displaying complete disregard for his own safety, Trooper Donaldson moved alone, on foot, across approximately 80 metres of exposed ground to recover the wounded interpreter. His movement, once identified by the enemy, drew intense and accurate machine gun fire from entrenched positions. Upon reaching the wounded coalition force interpreter, Trooper Donaldson picked him up and carried him back to the relative safety of the vehicles then provided immediate first aid before returning to the fight.

On subsequent occasions during the battle, Trooper Donaldson administered medical care to other wounded soldiers, whilst continually engaging the enemy.
Trooper Donaldson’s acts of exceptional gallantry in the face of accurate and sustained enemy fire ultimately saved the life of a coalition force interpreter and ensured the safety of the other members of the combined Afghan, US and Australian force. Trooper Donaldson’s actions on this day displayed exceptional courage in circumstances of great peril. His actions are of the highest accord and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Special Operations Command, the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.

afsp90_02 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2009, 06:14:39 PM »

Great story "Collo", thank you for sharing. Trooper Mark Donaldson VC is a gallant man and to survive to be presented the award is no small wonder.

"Collo" besides the VC, what are the other decorationds on Donaldson'd uniform I'm not vert familliar with y'alls decorations.

Collo · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2009, 10:10:53 PM »

Quote from: afsp90_02 on January 16, 2009, 06:14:39 PM

"Collo" besides the VC, what are the other decorationds on Donaldson'd uniform I'm not vert familliar with y'alls decorations.

His awards include:

The Australian Active Service Medal. He will have the ICAT clasp. ICAT is International Coalition Against Terrorism and is presented to us for service as apart of Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) or surrounding areas such as our naval presence in the Gulf or our air operations in neighboring nations.. It is awarded to "recognise prescribed service in warlike operations".

The AASM 1975 -

He also holds the Afghanistan Medal.
The Afghanistan Medal is awarded to Australian defence force personnel who served in or around Afghanistan after 11 October 2001.

The Afghanistan Medl

Then its the Australian Defence Medal
he Australian Defence Medal is an Australian military decoration which recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years service. It was established on 20 March 2006, it recognises qualifying efficient service of current and former Australian Defence Force Regular and Reserve personnel, including National Servicemen, who have served since the end of World War II.

The Australian Defence Medal

NATO Medal with ISAF clasp
For service in Afghanistan alongside NATO forces. The US I believe also issue this award.

He holds two citations.
The first being the Unit Citation for Gallantry with Federation Star. (Our version of the PUC I would estimate). The Federation Star indicates that the member was involved in the actions with the unit at the time of the citation.

The Meritorious Unit Citation
It recognises sustained outstanding service in warlike operations. As there is no Federation Star featured; this indicates that he is a member of a unit that has been awarded this citation but was not present at the time cited.

He holds three badges.
The first is the Infantry Combat Badge. The Infantry Combat Badge (ICB) is awarded to serving members of the Australian Army for service as an Infantryman in warlike operations

Army Readiness Individual Notification Badge
AIRN requires members who satisfy all AIRN requirements to wear a badge as visual recognition of their achievement. A silver badge is to be worn by members who are deemed ‘ready’ by their unit commander but have not yet achieved five years of continuous readiness.

SASR Parachute Badge

Collo · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2009, 05:26:50 AM »

Trooper Mark Donaldson's Victoria Cross to go on display

Article from: The Australian
SAS Trooper Mark Donaldson has loaned his Victoria Cross to the Australian War Memorial, adding to one of the largest VC collections.

At a short ceremony earlier this morning Trooper Donaldson, dressed in military uniform, presented his medal - Australia's highest military honour - to the AWM's Director Steve Gower.

"This is a wonderful gesture. Its the first Victoria Cross for Australia that's been awarded since 1969,'' said a grateful Mr Gower.

Trooper Donaldson was only awarded the medal on Friday in a presentation at Government House in Canberra.

The self-effacing digger who denies he is a hero, said it was only fitting his VC be put on display at the war memorial.

"I can't see any better thing to do than give it to the war memorial, so everyone else, the Australian public, can come and view this VC as well,'' he told reporters.

A member of the elite Special Air Service Regiment, Trooper Donaldson won the VC for heroism in southern Afghanistan last September.

The medal will join 60 Australian and two British VCs that number among the biggest public collections in the world.

afsp90_02 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 27, 2009, 05:35:21 PM »

Thank you "Collo" I appreciate this greatly sir. And again, well done Trooper Donaldson!

Doc McKelvie · « **Reply #12 on:** May 15, 2009, 03:04:55 PM »

Plese note all posts by me in this topic string will be taken verbatim from www.diggerhistory.info .

Private James Park Woods VC

Private James Park Woods, 48th Battalion, was awarded his Victoria Cross near Le Verguier, North-west of St Quentin, on 18th September 1918.
Born in Gawler, in 1891, Woods was employed as a vigneron in Caversham Western Australia at the time of his enlistment on 29th September 1916.

Posted as a reinforcement to 48th Battalion, arriving at their position on 13th September 1917. Woods won his VC during the attack on the Hindenberg Line.

His unit succeeded in capturing 480 prisoners along with the first objective. 46th Battalion fought through, and was subsequently held up on the right flank.

A Company of 48th Battalion was sent to their aid, and Woods and three Compadres conducted a reconnaissance.

Locating a strongly held enemy position, with excellent fields of fire, Woods attacked. At least thirty enemy soldiers fled, leaving behind a four heavy and two light machineguns. They held the position against a strong counterattack, Woods lay on the parapet throwing bombs that were passed up to him. This continued until help arrived and consolidated the position.

More to come. See you ASAP.

Doc

Doc McKelvie · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2009, 01:37:05 PM »

Hi again all,

Here is my latest posting of a recipient of the Victoria Cross from Australia:

From deserter to VC & DCM winner

Sergeant (Sgt) Maurice Vincent Buckley VC, 13th Battalion. Sgt Buckley was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at the battle of Le Verguier on 18 September 1918. A field gun held up one company and Buckley rushed towards it, shot the crew and raced under machine gun fire across open ground to put a trench mortar out of action. By the end of the day he had rushed at least six machine gun positions, captured a field gun and taken nearly 100 prisoners.

The Victoria Cross award for these actions was gazetted under the name Sexton, an alias he had taken when he had re-enlisted, however, a notice which appeared in the London Gazette corrected his name. He was invested by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 29 May 1919.
Maurice Vincent Buckley enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 18 December 1914. He embarked for Egypt with reinforcements for the 13th Light Horse Regiment but was returned to Australia and subsequently deserted on 21 January 1916.

On 6 May 1916 he re-enlisted under the alias of Gerald Sexton, the name of his late brother and his mother's maiden name. He embarked for France with the 13th Battalion reinforcements arriving in January 1917.

He subsequently fought at Bullecourt, Polygon Woods, Ypres, Passchendaele, Hebuterne and Villers-Bretonneux. He was wounded at Hamel but resumed duty on 8 August 1917 and at this time was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Buckley returned to Australia on 9 September 1919 and was discharged in December. In 1920 he lead a march of 10,000 Catholic ex-servicemen and women in honour of the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Daniel Mannix.

Buckley suffered injuries from a horse-riding accident on 15 January 1921 and later died of his injuries on 27 January 1921. He was buried with full military honours in Brighton cemetery, Victoria. His medals are displayed in the Australian War Memorial Hall of Valour.

6594 Sergeant (Sgt) Maurice Vincent Buckley VC (served as Gerald Sexton), 13th Battalion.

Sgt Buckley was awarded the Victoria Cross for "most conspicuous bravery" on 18 September 1918, near Le Verguier, France.

During an attack, Sgt Buckley and his section rushed down a bank to where an enemy party was manning a field gun, killing them all. He then returned to the bank, firing on the enemy with his machine gun inducing them to surrender.

Sgt Buckley was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 8 August 1918, before returning to Australia, medically unfit in December 1919.

He died on 27 January 1921 after being thrown from a horse.

(Donor R. Arman)

That's all for now folks. See you ASAP.

Sincerely,

Doc

Doc McKelvie · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2009, 03:06:30 PM »

Hi again all,

Here is my latest posting of a recipient or recipients of the Victoria Cross from Australia:

FRANK J. PARTRIDGE, VC

Frank J. PARTRIDGE, VC who won his Victoria Cross on Bougainville 24 July 1945.
Born on the 29 November 1924 Frank Partridge grew up on the family farm at Newee Creek in the Nambucca Valley NSW. He was the youngest Australian serviceman, also the first militiamen to win the Victoria Cross, for his bravery in 1945 as part of the 8th Battalion, 23rd Brigade, on Bougainville during the Second World War.

A self educated man, after the war he rose to fame as a TV quiz champion and was recognized on numerous occasions for his amazing mind.

At the age of 39, Frank was killed in a car accident on 23 march 1964. He was buried with full military honors at Macksville Cemetery, NSW.

His home town of Macksville raised a monument to him, in 1989 a new primary school at Nambucca Heads was named the Frank Partridge VC Public School and on the 11th of November 2001 a military museum was opened by his son Lachlann.

Lieutenant George Morby INGRAM VC MM

5 October 1918.

Montbrehain, east of Peronne, France.

Lieutenant George Morby Ingram, at the head of his men, rushed and captured nine enemy machine-guns, and killed 42 of the enemy after stubborn resistance.

Later, when his company had suffered severe casualties, including many of the leaders, he again rushed a machine-gun post, shot six of the enemy and captured the gun.

On two subsequent occasions he attacked enemy posts, inflicting many casualties and taking 62 prisoners.

That's all for now folks. See you ASAP.

Sincerely,

Doc

Doc McKelvie · « **Reply #15 on:** June 04, 2009, 12:58:05 PM »

Hi again all,

Here is my latest posting of a recipient or recipients of the Victoria Cross from Australia:

Wing Commander H I Edwards, VC

Group Captain

Hughie Idwal Edwards,

VC, DSO, DFC,

105 Squadron

Bomber Command, RAF.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wing Commander Hughie Edwards VC leading a bombing raid on Bremen Harbour 4 July 1941. The Squadron involved was No. 105 Squadron.

Bristol Blenheim light bombers of 105 Squadron can be seen in very low level attack on Bremen Harbour; the leader of this raid, 39005 was Wing Commander (later Group Captain) H I 'Hughie' Edwards. Edwards was awarded a Victoria Cross for his part in this action.

That's all for now folks. See you ASAP.

Sincerely,

Doc

Doc McKelvie · « **Reply #16 on:** June 12, 2009, 09:59:04 AM »

Hi again all,

Here is my latest posting of a recipient or recipients of the Victoria Cross from Australia:

Private Thomas Cooke VC

Private (Pte) Thomas Cooke VC, 8th Battalion, of Richmond Vic was killed in action on 28 July 1916.
Pte Cooke was awarded his VC for most conspicuous bravery, after a Lewis gun had been disabled, he was ordered to take his gun and gun-team to a dangerous part of the line. Here he did fine work, but came under very heavy fire, with the result that finally he was the only man left.

He still stuck to his post, and continued to fire his gun. When assistance was sent he was found dead beside his gun. He set a splendid example of determination and devotion to duty.

That's all for now folks. See you ASAP.

Sincerely,

Doc

Collo · « **Reply #17 on:** January 29, 2010, 02:09:57 AM »

First off; Thank you to Doc for keeping this thread going.

I just want to add the post in regards to Hughie Edwards. He was not only a VC winner but also the most decorated Airman of the Royal Australian Air Force in WWII. His total awards include:

Victoria Cross,
Knight Commander of St. Michael & St. George,
Companion of the Order of the Bath,
Distinguished Service Order,
Order of the British Empire,
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Knight of St Johns,
1939-45 Star,
Aircrew Europe Star & rosette,
Africa Star,
Burma Star,
Defence Medal,
'39-45 War Medal (M.I.D.),
G.S. Medal 1918-1962, Malta clasp,
QEII Coronation 1953,
QEII Jubilee 1977.

Upon his passing in 1982 his styling was His Excellency Air Commodore (= O-7) Sir Hughie Edwards VC, KCMG, CB, DSO, OBE, DFC. He served as the 23r Governor of Western Australia during the 1970s'.

Doc McKelvie · « **Reply #18 on:** January 29, 2010, 06:41:08 PM »

Outstanding Collo. He is a man I would have been honoured to serve under; had I served in Australia during his time, rather than with with the US Navy during the Vietnam War.

Sincerely,

Doc

Collo · « **Reply #19 on:** February 05, 2010, 02:15:43 AM »

He certainly was a great Australian who has along with his brothers in arms paved a path in history that is a shining becon to those who are following in their foot steps.

Carrying this thread on our Honours.
Like the US they are broken into groups:
Gallantry
Distinguished Service
Conspicious Service
Operational etc

Following on from the Gallantry posts earlier here are our Distinguished catergory

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

It is awarded for distinguished command and leadership in action

Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

Commendation for Distinguished Service

it is awarded for the distinguished performance of duties in warlike operations. The Commendation for Distinguished Service was introduced in 1991 and replaced the Imperial equivalent of Mention in Despatches

afsp90_02 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 05, 2010, 02:19:22 PM »

Quote from: Collo on February 05, 2010, 02:15:43 AM

Commendation for Distinguished Service

it is awarded for the distinguished performance of duties in warlike operations. The Commendation for Distinguished Service was introduced in 1991 and replaced the Imperial equivalent of Mention in Despatches

Where is ths worn "Collo"?

Collo · « **Reply #21 on:** February 05, 2010, 06:53:11 PM »

Thats worn before our general Operartional medals.

We have two types of commendations. the first is the Com for Gallantry and the Com for Dis Serv. They awarded for the service in an operational evnviroment. The Com for Gallantry is equal to the Bronze Star with "V" clasp; and the Com for Dis Serv is equal to the Bronze Star, These are worn with the respective order of presedence.

The other type are a little small badge worn on the right brest which is awarded by each star level ie (O-7, 0-8, 0-9 and 0-10). These are awarded for achievement in the course of ones duty may or may not be in an operational enviroment. I would say with best guess that the US equal would be each Joint awards ie Meritouris, commendation achievement etc

Collo · « **Reply #22 on:** February 06, 2010, 07:54:38 PM »

Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)

Awarded for outstanding commitment to duty or outstanding application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-war-like situations

Nursing Service Cross

Awarded for outstanding performance of nursing duties in both operational and non-operational situations

Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)

Awarded for meritorious achievement or dedication to duty in non-war like situations to members of the Australian Defence Force

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Author Topic: Australian Military Awards Including the VICTORIA CROSS (Read 1324 times)

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