Jack Kirby – An Unsung Hero of the Battle of Long Tan

Arguably the backbone and discipline of any infantry company is the Company Sergeant Major (CSM). These soldiers of Warrant Officer rank are part father figure, part teacher and part principle / headmaster. Almost all of the CSM’s I’ve come across have had very strong and unique personalities made up of steadiness, humour, discipline but ultimately [...]

Long Tan – A quest for Honour and Integrity

By David Ellery – Defence Reporter *This article appeared in The Canberra Times on 15 January 2011 but as there is no online version it has been reproduced here. The greatest impediment to an honest assessment of the way honours were allocated after the battle of Long Tan is a concept that dates back to [...]

Long Tan Medals Battle Off To Court

**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 [...]