The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded
for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed
forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire
territories.
The following is an excerpt from the plaque at the rest area,
and is based on the original citation,
Peter Badcoe VC 41400 Major Peter John BADCOE Australian Army
Training Team Vietnam. 23 February to 7 April 1967. Thua Thien
Province, South Vietnam.
On 23 February, in Phu Thu District, Major Badcoe with complete
disregard for his own safety moved alone across 600 metres of fire
swept ground and reached a United States Medical Adviser wounded by
enemy fire, attended to him and ensured his future safety. He then
organised a force of one platoon and led them towards the enemy
post. His personal leadership, words of encouragement, and actions
in the face of hostile enemy fire forced the platoon to
successfully assault the enemy position and capture it.
On 7th March 1967, in Quang Dien District, Major Badcoe led a
company in an attack over open terrain to assault and capture a
heavily defended enemy position. In the face of certain death and
heavy losses his personal courage and leadership turned certain
defeat into victory and prevented the enemy from capturing District
Headquarters.
On 7th April 1967, in Huong Tra District, Major Badcoe was with
a South Vietnamese company which came under heavy small arms fire
and withdrew to a cemetery for cover. This left Major Badcoe and
his radio operator about 50 metres in front of the leading
elements, under heavy mortar fire. Seeing this withdrawal, Major
Badcoe ran back to them, moved amongst them and by encouragement
and example got them moving forward again. He then set out in front
of the company to lead them on and when getting up to throw a
grenade he was hit and killed by a burst of machine gun fire.
"Major Badcoe's conspicuous gallantry and leadership on all
these occasions was an inspiration to all, each action, ultimately,
was successful, due entirely to his efforts, the final one ending
in his death. His valour and leadership were in the best traditions
of the military profession and the Australian Regular Army".
(London Gazette: 13 October 1967; Supplement, 17 October
1967).
Peter John Badcoe was born in Adelaide on 11 January 1934. He
was buried at the Terendak Cemetery, Malaysia.
FTF honours go to
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