[naturalman1975]

He is still alive and should never be forgotten.

Citation for the Victoria Cross

On 24TH May 1969, in Kontum Province, Warrant Officer Payne was Commanding 212th Company of 1st Mobile Strike Force Battalion when the battalion was attacked by a North Vietnamese force of superior strength. Under this heavy attack the indigenous soldiers began to fall back. Directly exposing himself to the enemy's fire, Warrant Officer Payne, through his own efforts, temporarily held off the assaults by alternately firing his weapon and running from position to position collecting grenades and throwing them at the assaulting enemy. While doing this he was wounded in the hand and arms. Despite his outstanding efforts, the indigenous soldiers gave way under the enemy's increased pressure and the Battalion Commander, together with several advisors and a few soldiers, withdrew. Paying no attention to his wounds and under extremely heavy enemy fire, Warrant Officer Payne covered his withdrawal by throwing grenades and firing his own weapon at the enemy who were attempting to follow up. Still under fire, he then ran across exposed ground to head off his own troops who were withdrawing in disorder. He successfully stopped them and organised the remnants of his and the second company into a temporary defensive perimeter by nightfall.

Having achieved this, Warrant Officer Payne of his own accord and at great personal risk, moved out of the perimeter into the darkness alone in an attempt to find the wounded and other indigenous soldiers. He finally collected forty lost soldiers, some of whom had been wounded and returned with this group to the temporary defensive position he had left, only to find that the remainder of the battalion had moved back. Undeterred by this setback and personally assisting a seriously wounded American advisor he led the group through the enemy to the safety of his battalion base. His sustained and heroic personal efforts, in this action were outstanding and undoubtedly saved the lives of a large number of his indigenous soldiers and several of his fellow advisors.

Warrant Officer Payne's repeated acts of exceptional personal bravery and unselfish conduct in this operation were an inspiration to all Vietnamese, United States and Australian soldiers who served with him. His conspicuous gallantry was in the highest traditions of the Australian Army.

List of Decorations

Victoria Cross (VC)
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975
Korea Medal
United Nations Service Medal for Korea
General Service Medal (1962)
Vietnam Medal
Australian Service Medal 1945–1975
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
Centenary Medal
Defence Force Service Medal with 2 clasps
National Medal
Australian Defence Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Long Service and Good Conduct Medal – Army
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
Silver Star (United States)
Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star (South Vietnam)
Korean War Service Medal (South Korea)
Vietnam Campaign Medal (South Vietnam)
Dhofar Campaign Medal (Oman)
Dhofar Victory Medal (Oman)
Pingat Jasa Malaysia (Malaysia)

Unit Citations - worn as a member of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam

Meritorious Unit Commendation (United States)
Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation (South Vietnam)

[redfreedom]

The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry was initially sparingly given out on a deserving basis.

Towards the end of the war the South Vietnamese then awarded it to all units that served in Vietnam which basically made it a worthless attendance medal.

[Gay State Conservative]

A buddy of mine was a Marine in Hue during the Tet Offensive.Among the stories he told me were the ones he told about his experiences with Australian soldiers. He had nothing but the highest praise and deepest respect for them...he said that they were damn well trained and damn brave as well.

Neither the Victoria Cross nor the Medal of Honor are handed out to just anybody...to receive one is a clear indication that you're willing to put your country,the mission and your buddies' lives above your own life.I think that one can pretty well sum up what recipients of these awards are about by quoting Admiral Chester Nimitz who once said of the Marines who fought on Iwo Jima that among them "uncommon valor was a common virtue".

[Lurker]

Outstanding. Thanks for the post.

L

[Phlap]

WO Payne is a hero. Australia is fortunate to have him.

[Peter Libra]

A remarkable and incredible account and deserves careful reading. I hope it is not out of order to mention another event in the military history of Australia.

ANZAC DAY

Celebrated every 25th of May each year. In order to gain control of the Dardanelles Straights a huge armada set sail. It consisted of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The idea was to enable supply ships a route to Russia. The U-Boats controlling the alternate routes. The formidable Turkish forces held the heights above the Straights.

A foothold was gained but the endeavour proved a terrible disaster. Finally after over 30,000 casualties over months, the force was evacuated between dusk and dawn. That was a marvel of efficiency. Thousands of men safely aboard rescue ships. The Turks mostly asleep. Winston Churchill's idea as Lord of the Admiralty. He resigned and went to the Western Front in France to avoid the doom and gloom afterward.