Posted on 07/15/2025 2:57:46 AM PDT by naturalman1975
He ran into enemy fire three times to rescue a wounded comrade and help recover the body of another.
Fifty-seven years after his acts of bravery in the Vietnam War, Private Richard Norden has been posthumously awarded Australia's highest military honour.
An investiture ceremony was held in Rockhampton on Tuesday morning, where the Governor-General presented the Victoria Cross medal to his widow, Robynn Freeman.
For family, friends and former colleagues, the day has been "a long time coming".
A legacy of mateship
Private Norden, from Gundagai in New South Wales, was just 19 years old when his platoon came under attack during the 1968 Battle of Fire Support Base Coral.
The young soldier ran into heavy fire to reach his wounded section commander, who he half-carried, half-dragged back to safety.
Private Norden, himself seriously injured, advanced twice more, clearing the area so the body of a second comrade could be recovered.
His actions likely saved the lives of other members of the platoon.
Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston, said the soldier's "complete disregard for his own safety" demonstrated extreme daring and a legacy of mateship.
"When Richard chose to run forward into heavy enemy fire, he did not do so with the desire for glory or heroism," Admiral Johnston said.
"He did so because he saw two of his mates isolated and wounded.
"While Richard is not here with us today, we remember his courage, his dedication, his selflessness, his choice to risk his own life to save an injured man and ensure a fallen soldier could be returned home to his own loved ones."
'It didn't seem like this day would come'
Private Norden returned from the war to serve as a police officer in Canberra.
He died in a motorcycle accident while on duty in 1972, leaving behind his wife and two young children.
His eldest son, Shane Norden Freeman, said the presentation of the Victoria Cross was an emotional moment for the family.
"It's been a long journey and there's been a lot of fighting going on in the background to get this for Dad," he said.
"It didn't seem like this day would come.
"It's been 10 years of his army mates and police mates fighting for this — they've never given up."
Retired Lieutenant Colonel George Hulse never met Private Norden but was instrumental in campaigning for the late soldier to receive the military honour.
"I have a feeling of profound relief," he said of the decision to award the Victoria Cross.
"Private Dick Norden did an extraordinary thing — for a quiet country lad, he had done a most courageous thing.
"He completely left his own life out of any reckoning as far as self-preservation was concerned."
Private Norden has become the 102nd Victoria Cross recipient in Australia's history, and just the fifth Vietnam War veteran to receive the honour.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn said the late soldier's heroism would be remembered for years to come.
"In a moment of fire and fury, danger and confusion, Private Norden answered that call with a strength, determination, selflessness and valour that we in this place of peace find simply impossible to comprehend," she said.
"The resolve of so many … to honour [his] memory … has given new generations of Australians the chance to know and understand the gallantry, the unflinching courage and devotion to duty that has etched his name permanently in our nation's story.
"We commit ourselves again to strive to uphold the freedoms for which he fought.
"We will not forget. We will remember."
This required bureaucrats in London to approve any award of military medals, and some people believe that, in Vietnam, a war that the British were not involved in, that some decorations were not approved that should have been.
(There are also similar concerns about some cases from earlier wars, but Vietnam is of particular interest).
Norden was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) in 1968, which was, at that time, the second highest decoration for bravery by an enlisted serviceman in the Imperial Honours system, after the Victoria Cross and George Cross (which are ranked equal first), but some people have always felt that he deserved the VC.
Citation for the Victoria Cross
For most conspicuous acts of gallantry in action in the presence of the enemy in the ‘AO Surfers’ Area of Operations in Bien Hoa province, Vietnam, on the 14th of May 1968 during the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral. During Operation Toan Thang the 5th Platoon, Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, were ambushed and came under heavy fire from an estimated squad of seven to ten North Vietnamese army regular soldiers. Private Norden, a member of the leading section, ran forward under heavy enemy fire to the section commander and the forward scout who were wounded during the initial contact. Private Norden killed one North Vietnamese enemy soldier whilst moving forward and having depleted, expended, his ammunition, recovered that enemy's automatic weapon which he used against further North Vietnamese army soldiers. He then half carried, half dragged the severely wounded section commander back to the section. Private Norden, seriously wounded, again advanced to the forward scout. He pressed forward under enemy fire and reached the scout, killing the North Vietnamese army soldier who had been using the scout as a shield. Having determined that the scout was dead, Private Norden returned to the section to collect grenades and moved forward for the third time. He cleared the area to enable the body of the scout to be recovered. Private Norden showed a complete disregard for his own personal safety and his courage and selfless acts resulted in the enemy position being secured and likely saved the lives of the other members of the platoon.
Thank you for this article. Good to see you posting. I’m honoured by your reply on the other thread.
A good friend of mine (we had been friends since we were five) was a Marine in Vietnam.Specifically he was in Hue during the Tet offensive. While there he had contact with Aussie soldiers and he had nothing but the highest praise and respect for them. As a result of the stories he told me...and other things I’ve read and heard...I’m not at all surprised when I learn of Aussie soldiers who’ve shown exceptional courage,dedication,selflessness and skill in the heat of battle.
My Father was in the U.S. Navy Riverine (albeit on an LST on a large river as opposed to a speed boat—so it sounds much more dangerous than it was), and has the same respect for the Aussies.
I'm sure you've heard the saying "all gave some,some gave all". Your father gave a lot...and Private Norden certainly gave hugely.
Thank you for the article.
Today those lacking knowledge of history throw the “Vietnam” name around like it was the first Afghan war. As a vet of that war myself I get sick of it. These morons do not realize that war was a sister war to the Korean war which was a Cold War in efforts to stop communism.
The left won out, South Vietnam was defunded and lost. Vietnam vets were considered less than human by many on the left. It was a tragedy.
As a result of the West losing interest in stopping communism, we now have what we have today. Communism spreading everywhere and the entire western culture is now at risk.
Over the years things changed for US Vietnam Vets and we are now respected. I hope the Australian Viet Vets are equally respected if not more so.
While my father gave some, he is well aware that many gave much more. I suspect he opted for the Navy not just because of long-standing family maritime connections, but on average the Navy asked for less than the Army.
When he returned stateside, he was put in charge of administering a board charged with assessing disabilities.
My Grandfather was a Navy lifer in both WWII and Korea—WWII was the last time the Navy was really dicey unless you opt to go SEAL.
I’ve got a nephew who more or less eschewed the Navy and joined the Marines (now a very active reservist after getting out). That is harms way, but I think it bothers his mother more than it bothers him.
They are not crazy, fearless, or unthinking; they are heroes.
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
Lao Tzu,
It is an honor to learn of Richard Norden, VC.
Thank you.
We used to visit the Aussies at Vung Tao, when I was at Bien Hoa Air Base. They sent a C-7 to Bien Hoa, every morning, under the Wallaby call sign. They were the ones who convinced me to take leave in Sydney. I had originally planned to go to Manila. Speaking of the Philippines, I stayed at the Australia Hotel. I was told General MacArthur stayed there, after he said, “people of the Philippines, I shall return,” and he did. I wonder if that hotel is still there?
A group of 6 of us (1st Cav Troopers just in from the bush) ran into a group of about a dozen Aussies at a bar in Saigon, 1970. Lots of stories were told, lots of beer cans were emptied. Great guys.
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