Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan

Australia has posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia to Vietnam Veteran Private Richard Norden.

Sadly, Private Norden died while on active service with the Australian Capital Territory Police in 1972.

Awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia – 19 year old Private Richard Norden

For most conspicuous acts of gallantry in action in the presence of the enemy in the 'AO Surfers' Area of Operations in the Bien Hoa province, Vietnam, on 14 May 1968 during the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral.

During Operation Toan Thang, 5th Platoon, B Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) 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 forward scout who were wounded during the initial contact.

Private Norden killed one North Vietnamese Army soldier whilst moving forward and, having 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 a 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 other members of the platoon.

Richard Norden was born in Gundagai in New South Wales on 24 Aug 1948.

He'd been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and served with:

- 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit 05 Dec 1967 to 30 Jan 1968
- 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 31 Jan 1968 to 09 Apr 1968
- 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 10 Apr 1968 to 13 Aug 1968

Lest We Forget.

The Commando Welfare Trust (Official Page) is auctioning off this magnificent, one-of-a-kind, 2nd Commando Regiment Military Display, featuring handmade replicas by Military Weapons Retirement Displays. Proceeds from the auction will go towards providing emergency and long-term financial support to Australian Special Forces soldiers, veterans and family members where the government and defence system cannot. If you're able to, please click the link below and follow the prompts to make a bid. We raised $10,000 for the Commando Welfare Trust during the making of our movie DANGER CLOSE. Our great friends at PLATATAC are also immensely proud to have supported the Commando Welfare Trust since it's inception in 2010.

Auction - https://hubs.ly/Q02P2kMN0

The Commando Welfare Trust also accepts donations via their website. More about their mission - https://hubs.ly/Q02P2jT_0

More sad news. Another Long Tan veteran, Major Geoff Martin Kendall MID MG passed away on 29 August 2024, 83 years young. At 21 years old, Geoff commanded 10 Platoon, Delta Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966.

On that day, 105 young Australians and three New Zealanders fought and defeated over 2000 Main Force Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers in a rubber plantation called Long Tan. Sadly 18 young Australians and more than 400 Vietnamese died in the battle. US President Lyndon B Johnson awarded the United States Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation to Delta Company, 6RAR for their courageous action at the Battle of Long Tan.

Geoff was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 16 July 1941. He served with Delta Company, 6RAR between 8 Jun 1966 and 4 Jul 1967 as a Second Lieutenant.

On 18 August 1966, with 11 platoon cutoff and surrounded by hundreds of VC and NVA, then Major Harry Smith ordered 10 platoon to attack the enemy and move towards 11 platoon in an effort to relieve them. 10 platoon killed at least 10 Viet Cong before coming under mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fire and then were attacked by at least one enemy company from their flank.

The first casualty in the early part of 10 platoon's engagement was their signaller and their radio set – it was one of the worst things that could have happened. Under heavy fire and with no radio, wounded were sent back to report what was going on. A young Private Bill Akell courageously manoeuvred to 10 platoon across the battlefield with a spare radio from Company HQ killing two Viet Cong along the way. Unable to move to 11 platoon without takinng significant casualties, Harry Smith ordered 10 Platoon to withdraw with their casualties into the company position. About this stage, 10 platoon were hit by enemy mortars. Sgt Neil Rankin was fifteen to twenty meters back with the stretcher bearers when a mortar landed right next to him. He was lifted into the air but incredibly, didn’t get a scratch.

At the company position, Kendall and D Coy CSM Jack Kirby reorganised 10, 12 and the survivors of 11 platoon. 10 platoon took the main thrust of many waves of fanatical enemy attacks on their position. Though they suffered casualties, 10 Platoon fought off the enemy attacks and accounted for another 40+ Viet Cong on the company perimeter.

Geoff Kendal retired from Australian Army as a Major.

Three generations of the Kendall family have served in the Australian Defence Force. Geoff’s son, Steve graduated from RMC Duntroon to the Royal Australian Artillery and served 12 years and left as a Captain. Geoff's grandson (Steve’s son) Carter, served (as at 2020) with 4 Regiment RAA in Townsville in a Joint Fires Team.

We offer our deepest sympathy to the Kendall family and all those who mourn the passing of another loved Long Tan and Vietnam veteran.

Rest in Peace Major Geoff Kendall MID MG.

Their numbers may be thinning but their legend continues to grow. 58 years ago today, 18 August 1966, 108 young Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought for their lives against more than 2000 Main Force Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Soldiers in a South Vietnamese rubber plantation called Long Tan.

Sadly 18 young Australians and more than 245 Vietnamese died in the battle.

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, now known as Vietnam Veterans Day. We pay homage to all the veterans who have served, suffered, and made the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War.

17 young Australians from D Company, 6th Royal Australian Regiment died in the Battle of Long Tan and 1 Trooper from 1 APC Squadron died nine days later from wounds he sustained in the battle. 11 of those who died were conscripts / National Servicemen.

60,000 Australians and 3,000 New Zealanders served in Vietnam; 521 Australians and 37 New Zealanders died as a result of the war, and over 3,000 Australians and 187 New Zealanders were wounded.

Lest We Forget.

Great work!