Company Sergeant Major WO2 Jack Kirby, D Coy 6RAR on the morning after the Battle of Long Tan

The Commander at the helm of the historical and bloody Battle of Long Tan has welcomed the addition of an “unsung hero” of the Vietnam War to the list of candidates for a retrospective Victoria Cross.

Lt Colonel (Retired) Harry Smith said it was “only right and proper” that the Defence Honours Awards Tribunal investigate posthumous VCs for soldiers in the Vietnam and Korean conflicts alongside those for the two World Wars.

“I am cheered that my formal application for Warrant Officer Jack Kirby for his sustained gallantry at Long Tan has been accepted. Throughout the battle ‘Big Jack’ disregarded his own safety while braving enemy fire to distribute ammunition,” commented Smith. You can read more about what Jack Kirby did during The Battle of Long Tan in our previous blog post: Jack Kirby – An Unsung Hero of The Battle of Long Tan.

“Jack continuously exposed himself to enemy fire to carry wounded Australians over his shoulder back to the Company Aid Post. He also rushed out of the D Coy perimeter to silence a wheeled enemy heavy machine gun which was setting up less than 50 metres away from the Australians.

“Jack knew instinctively that in just a few moments this heavy machinegun would be able to strafe and decimate the Australians. He killed the enemy machinegun crew, then rushed back and continued to carry on handing out ammunition, moving around the entire company position and giving out words of encouragement.”

Long Tan took place on 18 August 1966 in a rubber plantation amid torrential monsoonal downpours, and involved ammunition resupplies by helicopters and continuous 24 gun artillery barrages. 108 Australian and New Zealand troops – many of them young conscripts – repelled an enemy force of more than 2,500.

Eighteen Australians were killed and 24 wounded. Enemy forces suffered horrendous casualties. Figures released in 2006 suggest as many as 1,200 killed or died from wounds.

“Personal gallantry is not the only requirement for the VC, and as in the regulations, some previous VCs have been awarded for ‘extraordinary performance of duty in the face of the enemy’,” said Smith, who has been a gadfly for awards recognition for his men for the past 18 years and belatedly received a Star of Gallantry Medal last year in lieu of a Distinguished Service Order downgraded in 1966.

“Thus, apart from personal gallantry under fire, I believe Jack qualifies for his extraordinary performance of his Company Sergeant Major duties under fire at Long Tan.

“It is an abysmal situation that not one VC was awarded in the Australian Task Force battalions between 1965 and 1972, although they fought significant battles such as Long Tan, Coral-Balmoral and Bin Ba,” said Colonel Smith.

“It is particularly shameful when you consider that in those 10 years Australia lost some 520 young men and another 2,200 wounded.”

Kirby, who served with the 1st Battalion in South Korea (1954-55) and 3RAR in Malaya (1957-59), died tragically from a friendly artillery salvo misdirected by an inexperienced artillery officer six months after Long Tan.

Media inquiries to Martin Walsh, Red Dune Films – 0438 417143

*Keith Payne, Kevin Wheatley, Ray Simpson and Peter Badcoe were awarded a Victoria Cross in Vietnam but they were part of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) and not 1 Australian Task Force.

The long wait for proper recognition of the gallantry of those who fought and died in this battle is almost over.

45 years ago today 105 Australians and 3 New Zealanders fought and defeated an overwhelming enemy force of 2,500 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers in a rubber plantation in South Vietnam called Long Tan. This three and a half hour battle was so fierce it resulted in the deaths of 18 Australians and more than 500 enemy.

43 years ago U.S. President Lyndon B Johnson awarded the U.S. Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) for gallantry to D Company, 6RAR for extraordinary heroism. A similar award was also given by the South Vietnamese President. However, no unit citation was given by the Australian or New Zealand governments and individual awards were downgraded or not given at all. Some of these individual awards have only recently been upgraded.

2Lt Dave Sabben (21 yrs) - Former platoon commander 12 Platoon, D Coy, 6RAR

Today, at Gallipoli Army Barracks at Enoggera in Brisbane, the long wait for proper recognition comes to an end. At 3pm today, Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce will formally present the Australian Unit Citation for Gallantry (UCG) to the surviving Long Tan veterans of D Coy, 6RAR. In addition, former 12 Platoon Commander Dave Sabben will also be presented his upgraded individual medal, the Medal for Gallantry (MG) for his acts of leadership and gallantry on the battlefield at Long Tan. Current soldiers of 6RAR who have recently returned from a second tour of Afghanistan will formally troop the colours and be on parade during this historic ceremony. Many surviving Long Tan veterans will be on parade today, many with their family present along with a number of Next of Kin of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country 45 years ago.

This is an historic occasion. Today’s serving members of 6RAR battalion will be parading alongside the original founding members of 6RAR from 1965 in this case the veterans of D Coy, 6RAR who fought at Long Tan on 18 August 1966.

We would like to thank all of the Long Tan veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice, especially those who did not come home. Lest We Forget.

Unit Citation for Gallantry

The Unit Citation for Gallantry is awarded to a unit for extraordinary gallantry in action. The Meritorious Unit Citation is awarded to a unit for sustained outstanding service in warlike operations.

The actual citation is a warrant presented to the unit. Insignia are worn by individuals to denote their membership of a unit that has been awarded a citation. Personnel cannot be issued with the insignia until the authorised unit representative, normally the CO, has been formally invested with the citation.

The insignia of a Unit Citation for Gallantry is a gilt rectangular frame surrounding a deep green ribbon. The frame has a design of flames emanating from the outer edges of the frame to the centre.

Australian Unit Citation for Gallantry (UCG)

The insignia of a Meritorious Unit Citation is a rhodium-plated rectangular frame of the same dimensions and design surrounding a ribbon of old-gold.

Personnel who were members of the unit when an award was made wear a Federation Star in the centre of the ribbon and continue to wear the insignia after leaving the unit. Personnel who are subsequently posted to the unit wear the insignia without the Federation Star and only while actually posted to the unit.

Long Tan Commander Lt. Col Harry Smith RTD (second from left) presenting Morrie Stanley with Australian Unit Citation in May 2010 alongside fellow Long Tan veterans Bob Buick, Dave Sabben and Willy Walker.

**Update: Watch Channel 7′s Sunrise Soapbox discuss this story at the bottom of this post.

The man who led Australian soldiers to victory at the bloody Battle of Long Tan 44 years ago is taking his fight for medals justice to the Federal Court.

Harry Smith, Lieutenant Colonel retired, today confirmed he will be pursuing court action in the New Year to get sign-off for the medals and commendations denied to eight members of Delta Company, two of Alpha Company 6RAR, and one of the Armoured Troop which repelled 2,500 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong enemy in an historic conflict on August 18, 1966.

Smith was the commanding officer of the 108 Australian and New Zealand troops that defied the odds in a three hour battle amid a rubber plantation deluged by monsoonal rains, and who later recommended a list of awards for gallantry that was slashed by senior officers.

Fourteen years ago he launched a campaign to gain recognition for all the soldiers on that list when the awards were denied a hearing at a formal Review in 1998, which approved 81 other Vietnam awards.

The pending class action is in support of the final 11 men “left out in the cold.”

“We should win this action because the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal set up by the Federal Government in 2008 to review our medals claims was seriously flawed in its report, at least,” comments Smith, who was belatedly awarded a Star of Gallantry for his role at Long Tan, having been downgraded from a Distinguished Service Order in 1966.

“We wanted to appeal in 2009 but couldn’t because the tribunal wasn’t a statutory body under the Defence Act. Now it is and the Governor-General has enacted its new status.”

Smith will present new evidence to the Federal Court, involving claims of an invalid scale of awards introduced by Canberra just prior to the Long Tan battle, but not approved by London until 1968; alleged falsified statements by Australian military chiefs at the time; and the dismissal or downgrading of half the awards Smith recommended for his soldiers.

A statutory declaration has also been supplied to Smith that supports a witness’s evidence to the 2008 Tribunal denying military claims that an exhaustive search had been made for records kept in 6RAR files about Smith’s medals recommendations.

This evidence was dismissed in the Tribunal’s report.

“The ugly truth about Long Tan, and in fact the entire Vietnam War over a decade, is that senior officers took most of the awards at the expense of soldiers who fought in action,” comments Smith.

“There were 726 awards given out in those 10 years, and of those private soldiers got only 22 medals. Many more went to major-generals, brigadiers, colonels and lieutenant colonels far from the action.”

Of the 11 soldiers the Federal Court action will fight for, at least three are dead. One, National Service officer Gordon Sharp, gave his life at Long Tan.

The awards the soldiers never received include a posthumous Mention in Dispatches; two Military Medals, seven Mentions in Dispatches and a Military Cross.

“My argument is simple – I want justice for these 11 soldiers, the same as given to the 81 men in the 1998 Review, nothing more, nothing less. They deserve to be recognized for their gallantry in close combat.

“They were part of an Infantry Company that encountered a reinforced enemy regiment of the 5^th Division which, with some 3,500 men in six battalions, and another regiment to the north, had planned to attack the poorly defended Australian Base at Nui Dat on the night of the 18th August, 1966.

“An attack by 5,000 enemy troops on the night of the Col Joye-Little Pattie Concert would have been a military and political disaster.

“It was only because of magnificent artillery support from 24 Australian, New Zealand and US Army guns, an ammunition resupply by two RAAF helicopters, and their own fire, plus courage and determination that Delta Company members held out until the enemy, which suffered horrendous casualties – their plan thwarted – started to withdraw at dark as the Armoured and Alpha Company force approached”

Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce

A ceremony proposed by the Australian Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, to present a gallantry citation 44 years after the bloody Battle of Long Tan has been stalled by red tape to the distress of a distinguished Vietnam War commander.

Retired Lt Colonel Harry Smith praised the Governor-General for her sincere offer to host the ceremony for surviving soldiers from the conflict and Next of Kin (NOK) on 17 August – the Day before Long Tan Day – but said the Army had “failed to respect the offer.”

“The logistics of the event, including the transportation to and from Canberra, were down to Defence, and they simply didn’t follow through. Simply failed to honour the GG’s wishes. Absolutely appalling!”

The office of the Governor-General contacted Smith a month ago with the offer to hold an event at Yarralumla for surviving soldiers of the battle and family members of those who died in the conflict in 1966 or have passed away since.

According to Smith, Her Excellency “genuinely” wanted to hold the ceremony to present the three Officer medals approved and gazetted in 2008, and bestow the Unit Citation for Gallantry (UCG) approved by the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal (DHAT) in September 2009.

“I honestly believe the GG wishes to present the Gallantry Emblem to each man and/or NOK, which is great, and thus everyone, not just the officers, gets an award,” comments Smith, the overall Commander of Delta Company 6RAR at Long Tan, in which 18 Australians died and 23 were wounded.

“Of course, I am well aware of the hostile attitude in Defence as to the award of the UCG, and the presentation of the Citation and Streamer with the Emblems to my former Company.

“However, it was all approved by the Government in October last year, and the implications relating to the Official Presentation by the GG must surely have been discussed, accepted and costed by Defence.

“The Defence attitude is that the UCG should be held over to August next year. That attitude is not acceptable to most people I have spoken with. The medals and the UCG go hand in hand. The UCG emblems without the Citation and Streamer is not protocol and not acceptable.”

“The former Delta Company 6RAR 1966 originally had 124 people (including NOK of the 18 KIA at Long Tan) entitled to the UCG, and since then another 18 have passed on, leaving 89.

“I am told there is no known address for some 18 people or their NOK. The years have taken a toll and there are others who have medical problems and are unable to travel. I know two who are having major surgery this month,” says Smith.

“I’m also aware that the 2009 UCG for my former Company has caused controversy. The feeling is that the DHAT should have also approved contemporary Australian Unit Citations for all other units who supported us, along with units who also fought significant battles such as Coral-Balmoral and Bin Ba, and including Kapyong and Maryang San in Korea.

Lt Col Harry Smith (rtd) Former Officer Commanding D Coy, 6RAR

“Nevertheless, DHAT saw fit to approve the UCG for just our former Company. It was first mooted for presentation in late 2009; then moved back to January this year at the request of 6RAR; then moved back to August 2011 by Defence, then brought forward by the GG’s Office to 17th August.

”I suggest Army HQ has made a very improper decision to rebuke the wishes of the GG which were advised to my men, and to delay the presentation for yet another year.”

Smith added: “I will now continue with my original plan for Long Tan Day, which is to accept the invitation of the Mayor of Rockhampton to open the Long Tan Memorial Gardens and name the 18 Hibiscus shrubs in honour of those killed in the Battle.”

Smith has requested that his Star of Gallantry medal, equivalent to the award originally recommended in 1966, be now posted to his home along with his UCG emblem.

“I have passed on my apology to the office of Her Excellency that the full ceremony is not going to take place. I am sure she will appreciate my views on the matter. As I have said many times, I owe my life to my men and I cannot partake in a ceremony which does not include them.”

Media contact Graham Cassidy: Mobile 0419 202317

Here are some shots outlining the depth of the submission required:

 

 
Screen Australia is a newly established Australian Government agency operating under the Screen Australia Act 2008 (Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts).

Screen Australia commenced operation on 1 July 2008, bringing together the functions of the Film Finance Corporation Australia (FFC) and Film Australia Limited, as well as most of the functions of the Australian Film Commission (AFC).

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Screen Australia also administers the Australian Government’s Producer Offset incentive and Australia’s Official Co-production Program.

The Vietnam War veteran who led the charge for recognition for the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Long Tan in 1966 has described the Rudd Government’s decision to award more medals as a very favourable outcome.

Lt Colonel Harry Smith, (retired), who was the commanding officer of the 108 troops from D Company 6RAR who fought in the historic conflict, started his campaign to right the wrong 12 years ago.

This is a good decision; a justified decision and one that will gladden the hearts of many members of the Vietnam Veterans family, said Smith, who recently turned 75.

It has been a long time coming, indeed 42 years long. However, the Government deserves much credit for cutting through the red tape and falsehoods generated through the decades to prevent justice being down.

Smith’s original recommendations for awards for bravery, lodged soon after the conclusion to the bloody three hour battle that claimed the lives of 18 Australians, many of them young National Service conscripts, were mostly dismissed by the Government of the day.

After 42 years, let us all take pride in winning another battle over negative bureaucracy dating back to 1966… I thank the Rudd Government for having the courage to defy the old regime and come up with a decision that satisfies the need for justice to be done.

The urgings of the Commanders, which started in 1996, are based on documented evidence showing that senior officers not at the Battle were decorated; original Delta Company awards were downgraded in favour of senior officer awards; the failure of a range of Governments to address the issues regarding downgraded and deleted Imperial Awards; and the rejection of the offer of a South Vietnamese Unit Citation and Medals.

While the Government of the day denied medals offered by the US, a US Presidential Unit Citation for Delta Company was later accepted and approved in 1968.

The South Vietnamese Medals were finally approved after 38 years, in 2004, but not the South Vietnamese Unit Citation.

Smith, speaking on behalf of the seven key Commanders at Long Tan, said he was extremely pleased the Government had decided to establish a new fully Independent Honours and Awards Tribunal, that would in due course look at other award recommendations dating from 1966.

The good news is that 42 years down the track, the original status of the Company and Platoons has been reinstated by their commanders receiving the contemporary equivalents to the DSO and MC for the performance of their men, commented Smith.

Further, the whole Company can wear the CGCP alongside the PUC, personally recognising all our men. Also, the other awards might still be approved by the new tribunal in due course, and I and my colleagues will be well prepared to testify at that Tribunal.

I take this opportunity to thank Minister Alan Griffin and former MP Graham Edwards for all their hard work and in believing that there were flaws in earlier government and bureaucratic decision-making, and paving the way for a momentous outcome.

Note: The History Channel on FOXTEL will mark the 42 anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan by screening the award-winning documentary on the Battle on Monday (18 August) at 9.30am and 9.30pm and Tuesday (19 August) at 5.30am and 1.30pm. The documentary was created and co-produced by Martin Walsh and Red Dune Films. Media inquiries to Graham Cassidy, Cato Counsel, on 0419 202317

Media enquiries to Graham Cassidy on 0419 202317

Acronyms:

SG – Star of Gallantry (Australian Military Honours System)

The Star of Gallantry (SG) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and other persons recognised by the Defence Minister. It is awarded for acts of great heroism or conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril. It is the highest of the Military gallantry awards in the Australian Honours System and the 2nd highest military award overall, only surpassed by the Victoria Cross for Australia (VC)

MG – Medal for Gallantry (Australian Military Honours System)

The Medal for Gallantry (MG) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It recognises acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. The MC was introduced on 15 January 1991 replacing the Imperial equivalent. It is ranked third in the Gallantry Decorations in the Australian Honours System.

DSO – Distinguished Service Order (Old Commonwealth Imperial Awards) MC Military Cross (Old Commonwealth Imperial Awards)

CGCP – Cross of Gallantry Citation with Palm (Unit Citation to D Company, 6RAR by the Vietnamese Government) PUC Presidential Unit Citation (Unit Citation to D Company, 6RAR by President Lyndon B. Johnson on behalf of the US Government)

LTVA – Long Tan Veterans Association