Richard Norden (soldier)
Richard Norden | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 August 1948 Gundagai, New South Wales |
| Died | 30 October 1972 (aged 24) Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service | Australian Army |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Victoria Cross for Australia |
Richard Leslie Norden, VC (24 August 1948 – 30 October 1972) was a soldier in the Australian Army during the Vietnam War who was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia.
After the war, Norden joined the Australian Capital Territory Police Force in February 1970. He died on active duty in a motorcycle collision in 1972 and was buried at Woden Cemetery.[1][2]
Victoria Cross for Australia
[edit]Norden was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 10 December 1968, for his actions during the Battle of Coral–Balmoral in Bình Dương province, South Vietnam.
His platoon was ambushed by between eight and ten North Vietnamese soldiers, severely wounding the section commander and forward scout. Norden rushed forward under enemy fire, after expending his ammunition and killing one North Vietnamese soldier. Recovering the downed soldier's weapon he fired at the enemy, recovering the section commander, he then returned killing one soldier who had been using the forward scout as a shield. Discovering the scout to be dead, he then returned to his section to obtain grenades, before returning a third time to clear the area and allow the scout's body to be recovered. Nineteen-year-old Norden was severely wounded in the encounter, but survived his injuries.[3]
In 2022 the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal recommended he be awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia in lieu of the Distinguished Conduct Medal.[4] On 1 October 2024, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross with it being announced on 11 November, after he had died in a motorcycle accident while on service with the Australian Capital Territory Police Force in 1972.[5] Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the award at the Australian War Memorial.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Greene, Andrew; Scully, Jess (11 November 2024). "Private Richard Norden awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery during the Vietnam War". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Richard Leslie Norden". National Police Memorial. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Media statements - Canberra" (Press release). Australian War Memorial, Canberra: Prime Minister's Office. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ Martin, Gerard (11 November 2024) [2024-10-01]. "Victoria Cross for Australia - Richard Leslie Norden" (PDF). Commonwealth Gazette. C2024G00664. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ "Motor-cycle constable's death". The Canberra Times. Vol. 47, no. 13296. John Fairfax Ltd. 2 December 1972. p. 8. Retrieved 11 November 2024 – via Trove.
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