Showing 104 items
matching gallantry
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4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Specifications, Army Insignia, Badges and Buttons, 1951 - 1980
Set of manufacturing specifications for Australian Army insignia, badges and buttons - on foolscap in two lever arch files Specifications include: VOLUME 1 Badges, head dress & collar, AMF Insignia, shoulder, title, AUSTRALIA Insignia, metal, AUSTRALIAN ARMY Button, insignia, AMF Badge, metal, qualification, skill-at-arms Medallion & lapel badge, ANZAC commemorative Badge, lapel, metal, Army Reserve Lapel badge, Returned from Active Service Insignia, metal, Royal Cipher, Queen Elizabeth II Badge, metal, retired officers Button, insignia, general officer Link, button Insignia, metal, rank, womens, Warrant Officer & NCO tropical Insignia, metal, rank, officer, sword & baton crossed (1975) Insignia, metal, rank, officer, sword & baton crossed (1969) Insignia, metal, rank, officers, crown Insignia, metal, rank, NCO, crown Insignia, metal, rank, Warrant Officer, crown Palm leaf device for Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Medal, service, Vietnamese campaign Button, insignia, Corps of Staff Cadets Insignia, metal, RAAC, beret/collar Insignia, metal, 1 AR, beret/collar Insignia, metal, 1/15 RNSWL, beret/collar Insignia, metal, 2 Cav, beret/collar Insignia, metal, 2/14 QMI Insignia, metal, 3 Cav, beret/collar Insignia, metal, 3/9 SAMR Insignia, metal, 4 Cav, beret/collar 4/19 PWLH Regt badge, head dress or collar Insignia, metal, 4/19 PWLH 8/13 VMR badges, head dress or collar Insignia, 10 LH, collar, silver plated 12/16 HRL, badges, head dress or collar Insignia, metal, RAA, officers, cap/hat, collar Insignia, metal, RAA, other ranks Button, insignia, RAA Button, insignia, RAE Insignia, metal, RAE cap/hat collar Button, Insignia, Royal Aust Survey Corps Insignia, metal, Royal Aust Survey Corps Insignia, metal, Royal Aust Corps of Signals, cap/collar Button, insignia, Royal Aust Corps of Signals Button, insignia, R Aust Inf Insignia, metal, R Aust Inf, cap/hat, collar Insignia, metal, Commando Insignia, metal, RSAR, cap/hat collar Insignia, metal, RAR, cap/hat collar Insignia, metal, RNSWR Insignia, metal, RVR, cap/hat Insignia, metal, RQR ,cap/hat collar Insignia, metal, RWAR, cap/hat collar Badge, qualification, Infantry Combat Button, insignia, Chaplains, Christian Insignia, metal, Chaplains, Christian, cap/hat collar Insignia, metal, RACT Button, insignia RACT Button, insignia, RAAMC Insignia, metal, RAAMC, cap/hat collarl, Insignia, metal, RAADC, cap/hat collar Button, insignia, RAAOC Insignia, metal, RAAOC' VOLUME 2 Button, insignia, RAEME RAEME, badges, collar Insignia, metal, R Aust Army Educational Corps, cap/hat collar Button, insignia, AACC Insignia, metal, AACC, cap/hat collar Button insignia, R Aust Army Pay Corps Insignia, metal, R Aust Army Pay Corps, cap/hat collar Insignia, metal, Aust Army Legal Corps, cap/hat collar Insignia, metal, R Aust Army Provost Corps, cap/hat collar Button, insignia, R Aust Corps of MP Button, insignia, Aust Army Psych Corps Insignia, metal, Aust Army Psych Corps Button, insignia, Aust Army Nursing Corps Insignia, metal, R Aust Army Nursing Corps Button, insignia, WRAAC Insignia, metal, rank, mess undress, brooch type, RAAMC Insignia, metal, WRAAC Insignia, shoulder, Apprentice Insignia, metal, Army Apprentices School Button, insignia, OCS Button, insignia, OCS ,blazer Insignia, metal, OCS, cap/hat collar Button, insignia, RMC, blazer Insignia, metal, RMC Medallion, RMC Insignia, metal, AUR, cap/hat collar Button, insignia, MonUR Insignia, metal, MUR, cap/hat collar Button, insignia, MonUR Insignia, metal, MonUR, cap/hat collar Insignia, metal, UNSWR , cap/hat collar Insignia, metal, SUR, cap/hat collar Button, insignia, SUR Insignia, metal, QUR, cap/hat collar Button, insignia, QUR Insignia, metal, WAUR, cap/hat collar Button, insignia, WAUR Badge, metal, qualification, flying, Army pilot, Aust Army Aviation Corps Insignia, metal, Aust Army Aviation Corps Button, insignia, Aust Army Aviation Corps Badge, metal, qualification , bandsman Badge, metal, qualification, Drum Major Button, insignia, Aust Army Band Corps Insignia, metal, Aust Army Band Corps, cap/hat collar Rubber stamp of Engineering Design Establishment giving conditions of issue to contractorsspecifications -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The Old Bus
Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith is a famous Australian, well known in civil aviation history for his courageous endeavours in flight. He broken many flight records for long distance and time travelled and he was also a war hero in World War 1. He has been referred to as being “known to millions of Australians as “Smithy” … he was one of Australia’s true twentieth-century legends”. In honour of his place amongst the world’s famous pioneers his image is featured on Australia’s $20 note, Sydney airport is named after him, there is a memorial to Kingsford Smith, Taylor and Ulm at the Anderson Park, also in Sydney and his plane “Southern Cross” is on view at Brisbane Airport. Kingsford Smith wrote ‘The Old Bus’ (1932) and he and Ulm were co-authors of ‘Story of 'Southern Cross' Trans-Pacific Flight’ (1928). His also wrote a book about his own life ‘My Flying Life’ which was published after his death in 1937. and the story of his life was filmed in Australia in 1946. A BRIEF HISTORY OF SIR CHARLES EDWARD KINGSFORD SMITH (1897 – 1935) … Kingsford Smith was born 9th February 1897 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His parents were William Charles Smith and Catherine Mary, nee Kingsford. His mother’s maiden name of “Kingsford” was added to the family name when they spent time in Canada from around 1903 to 1907, after which they returned to Sydney, Australia. In 1915 Kingsford Smith enlisted in Australian Imperial Force. He served in 4th Signal Troop, 2nd Division Signal Company at Gallipoli Peninsular as a ‘sapper’ or combat engineer and later in Egypt and in France as a dispatch rider. In 1916 Kingsford Smith was transferred to the Australian Flying Corps as a sergeant. He was discharged after training in England and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. He was appointed fling officer and soon joined the 23rd Squadron in France. He brought down four machines in his first month there and also did invaluable work attacking enemy targets. He was wounded and shot down and later awarded the Military Cross ‘for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty’. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1918 and served as a Flying Instructor with the R.F.C. Kingsford Smith was not allowed to participate in the 1919 England to Australia air race because of assumed lack of navigational experience. He and his pilot friend Cyril Maddocks formed a business and flew joy-flights in both England and America. In America he did some stunt flying with a Flying Circus. Kingsford Smith returned to Australia in 1921 and found employment as a pilot. He soon realised the value of air transport in such a vast country. He formed a partnership with pilot Keith Anderson in 1924 and they purchased two Bristol Tourer biplanes. Their business broadened to include Charles Ulm and became the Interstate Flying services in Sydney. Together they performed important ‘demonstration’ flights including a flight around Australia in 10 days and 5 hours using very limited navigational equipment. Kingsford Smith immediately started to search for support to do a trans-Pacific flight. This support came from the New South Wales government, Sidney Myer and G. Allan Hancock, an American oil magnate. On 31st May 1928 Kingsford Smith, Charles Ulm and two American crewmen, Harry Lyan and Jim Warner, took off from Oakland, California and flew to Brisbane via Hawaii and Suva. This historic flight took 83 hours and 38 minutes. Their Fokker plane had three engines and was named the “Southern Cross”. This amazing achievement resulted in huge financial subscriptions. Kingsford Smith was awarded the Air Force Cross and appointed as honorary squadron leader, Royal Australian Air Force. Kingsford Smith flew his Southern Cross plane from Point Cook in Victoria to Perth nonstop. Then in September – October 1928, with Charles Ulm and an Australian crew, he piloted the Southern Cross from Sidney to Christchurch New Zealand. This flight showed that was possible for regular passenger and mail services across the Tasman Sea. Kingsford Smith flew his plane to England to an order for four aircraft, planning to use them for an inter-capital air service in Australia. Sadly on 1st April 1929 he was forced to land, having lost radio contact with the ground and having run into bad weather over north – west Australia. Keith Anderson and Robert Hitchcock both perished before the search party reached them. Once official enquiries were completed the flight to England continued in June and was completed in record time of 12 days and 18 hours. In January 1930 Kingsford Smith piloted the “Southern Cloud”, one of the new Avro Ten planes, on the first flight of his airline, the Australian National Airways, from Sydney to Melbourne. The “Southern Cross” was overhauled in Holland by the Fokker Aircraft Co. and in June 1930 Kingsford Smith achieved an east-west crossing of the Atlantic from Ireland to Newfoundland in 31.5 hours. Kingsford Smith returned to England and took delivery of an Avro Avian biplane that he named the “Southern Cross Junior” and flew solo from England to Darwin, Australia. This record breaking flight took less than 10 days. He beat four other planes that had left England before him and he was 5.5 days faster than Hinkler. Sadly Kingsford Smith’s “Southern Cloud” was lost during a flight from Sydney to Melbourne in 1931 with no surviving crew or passengers; in 1958 the wreckage was discovered in the Snowy Mountains. Later that year Kingsford Smith flew his “Southern Cloud” from Australia to Timor, collecting mail from a damaged Imperial Airways plane in Timor. Other flights followed. Kingsford Smith was knighted in 1932 for his services in Aviation. He returned to selling joy flights then established the Kingsford Smith Air Service, a flying training school in Sydney. In 1933 Kingsford Smith flew the amazing record flight in “Miss Southern Cross” – a Percival Gull - from London to Wyndham in Western Australia in just over ten days. The Australian Commonwealth then gave Kingsford Smith a large grant and he was also appointed as aviation consultant to Vacuum Oil Co. Another flying record was made when Kingsford Smith and Sir P.G. Taylor flow “Lady Southern Cross” from Brisbane to San Francisco in order to sell her there; the west-east-trans-Pacific flight made aviation history. They returned to Australia to make an attempt at the trans-Tasman flight but their attempt failed due to engine failure; they managed to get back to Sydney safely, minus most of their cargo. Kingsford Smith had his unsold “Lady Southern Cross” shipped back to England, from where he and J. T. Pethybridge in the “Lady Southern Cross” attempted another record breaking flight from England The Old Bus Author: Charles Kingsford Smith Publisher: Distibuted by Herald Feature Service Date; 1932Label on spine cover with typed text RA 629.1309 KIN flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, the old bus, charles kingsford smith -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Printed Sheet, Address to AIF by General Sir Harold Alexander, 1942
Printed Address made to the AIF by General Sir Harold R.L.G Alexander, DSO, MC Commander in Chief The Middle East Forces at a parade of the AIF (9th Australian Division) held in Palestine on 22nd December,1942, in commemoration of Fallen Comrades. Item belonged to Lieutenant Colonel George Watson BLACKWOOD OBE born Glasglow Scotland who immigrated to Western Australia in 1911 aged 4 years. He moved to Victoria prior to being demobilized in 1945 as an Engineer with the Australian Army Field Workshop. The 9th Division sustained more casualties and won more medals than any other Australian Division with seven of its members receiving the Victoria Cross, Australia’s highest award for gallantry.Cream paper with crest and four lines running top to bottom down left side of printed black typed text. 9th australian division, palestine, ww2 -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, P.O.W. : prisoners of war, 1985
Within three months of the Japanese entering World War II on December 8, 1941 over 22 000 Australians had become prisoners-of-war. They went into camps in Timor, Ambon, New Britain, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Singapore and Malaya, and a few were scattered to other points in what was briefly part of the Japanese empire. Later most of the prisoners were to be shifted further north into South-east Asia, Formosa, Korea, Manchuria and Japan itself. They were captives within lands and cultures and to experiences alien to those known to all other Australians. At the end of the war in August 1945, 14315 servicemen and thirty service women were alive to put on new, loose-fitting uniforms and go home. One in three of the prisoners had died. That is, nearly half of the deaths suffered by Australians in the war in the Pacific were among men and women who had surrendered. Another 8174 Australians had been captured in the fighting in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa: but of these men only 265 died as a result of wounds, disease or execution.By any quantitative measure the imprisonment of so many Australians is a major event in Australian history. For many soldiers it was living --and dying --in captivity which made World War II different from that of World War I. But the prisoners have received no permanent place in Australian history. Their story is not immediately recalled on celebratory occasions. In a general history of the nation in which a chapter is given to the war the prisoners might be mentioned in a sentence, or part of a sentence. Where the horror, stoicism and gallantry of Gallipoli have become part of a common tradition shared by all Australians, the ex-prisoners are granted just the horror. The public may be sympathetic; but the horror is for the prisoners alone. To make another comparison: in five months of fighting on the Kokoda Trail in 1942 the Australians lost 625 dead, less than the number who died on Ambon. Yet the events on Ambon are unknown to most Australians. There were no reporters or cameramen on Ambon and, for the 309 who defended Ambon's Laha airfield, no survivors. How many of them died in battle or died as prisoners will never be known. But there are more than just practical reasons why the record of the prisoners of war is so slight and uneven in the general knowledge of Australians. They have not tried to find out. No historian has written a book to cover the range of camps and experiences, and only in specialist medical publications has anyone investigated the impact of prison life on subsequent physical and mental health. The complexity of the experience and its impact on particular lives have not been expressed in a way to give them significance for other Australians.Index, bib, ill, maps, p.224.Within three months of the Japanese entering World War II on December 8, 1941 over 22 000 Australians had become prisoners-of-war. They went into camps in Timor, Ambon, New Britain, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Singapore and Malaya, and a few were scattered to other points in what was briefly part of the Japanese empire. Later most of the prisoners were to be shifted further north into South-east Asia, Formosa, Korea, Manchuria and Japan itself. They were captives within lands and cultures and to experiences alien to those known to all other Australians. At the end of the war in August 1945, 14315 servicemen and thirty service women were alive to put on new, loose-fitting uniforms and go home. One in three of the prisoners had died. That is, nearly half of the deaths suffered by Australians in the war in the Pacific were among men and women who had surrendered. Another 8174 Australians had been captured in the fighting in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa: but of these men only 265 died as a result of wounds, disease or execution.By any quantitative measure the imprisonment of so many Australians is a major event in Australian history. For many soldiers it was living --and dying --in captivity which made World War II different from that of World War I. But the prisoners have received no permanent place in Australian history. Their story is not immediately recalled on celebratory occasions. In a general history of the nation in which a chapter is given to the war the prisoners might be mentioned in a sentence, or part of a sentence. Where the horror, stoicism and gallantry of Gallipoli have become part of a common tradition shared by all Australians, the ex-prisoners are granted just the horror. The public may be sympathetic; but the horror is for the prisoners alone. To make another comparison: in five months of fighting on the Kokoda Trail in 1942 the Australians lost 625 dead, less than the number who died on Ambon. Yet the events on Ambon are unknown to most Australians. There were no reporters or cameramen on Ambon and, for the 309 who defended Ambon's Laha airfield, no survivors. How many of them died in battle or died as prisoners will never be known. But there are more than just practical reasons why the record of the prisoners of war is so slight and uneven in the general knowledge of Australians. They have not tried to find out. No historian has written a book to cover the range of camps and experiences, and only in specialist medical publications has anyone investigated the impact of prison life on subsequent physical and mental health. The complexity of the experience and its impact on particular lives have not been expressed in a way to give them significance for other Australians.world war 1939 – 1945 - prisons and prisoners – japanese, world war 1939-1945 - personal narrativies - australia -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Big Sky Publishing, The Art of Sacrifice, 2021
Haunting and poignant, this collection of portraits from renowned Melbourne artist, George Petrou portrays a spirit like no other — the Anzac spirit. Australians from all walks of life have served our great nation with gallantry and sacrifice — ordinary people who displayed mateship, resilience and devotion to duty. The Art of Sacrifice captures the spirit of service in a fitting tribute to all Anzacs of every generation. Using images of the past and the stories of today, the artist travels Australia and overseas to connect the past and the present in a unique, powerful and evocative collection of outstanding portraits. The Art of Sacrifice is a stunning contribution to the understanding and commemoration of all those who have served our great country.Bib, ill, p.429.Haunting and poignant, this collection of portraits from renowned Melbourne artist, George Petrou portrays a spirit like no other — the Anzac spirit. Australians from all walks of life have served our great nation with gallantry and sacrifice — ordinary people who displayed mateship, resilience and devotion to duty. The Art of Sacrifice captures the spirit of service in a fitting tribute to all Anzacs of every generation. Using images of the past and the stories of today, the artist travels Australia and overseas to connect the past and the present in a unique, powerful and evocative collection of outstanding portraits. The Art of Sacrifice is a stunning contribution to the understanding and commemoration of all those who have served our great country.australia - military - personal narratives, soldiers - australia - pictorial works -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Andre Deutsch, Great military blunders, 2012
From ancient times to the Bay of Pigs and the Falklands War, military history has been marked as much by misjudgements and incompetence as by gallantry and glory. Such blunders have sometimes ended in tragedy, sometimes in farce - such as the English troops, supposedly marching on Cadiz in 1625, who instead got drunk in a salt marsh. And sometimes they have ended in triumph, despite all the odds. In this fascinating and entertaining collection, author Geoffrey Regan not only recounts some of the staggering stories, but also highlights the kinds of difficulties that can lead to military disaster. His anecdotes encompass every aspect of warfare from the insanity of commanders to the provision of inadequate supplies. This entertaining and instructive book will appeal to the military buff and general reader alike.Ill, p.272.non-fictionFrom ancient times to the Bay of Pigs and the Falklands War, military history has been marked as much by misjudgements and incompetence as by gallantry and glory. Such blunders have sometimes ended in tragedy, sometimes in farce - such as the English troops, supposedly marching on Cadiz in 1625, who instead got drunk in a salt marsh. And sometimes they have ended in triumph, despite all the odds. In this fascinating and entertaining collection, author Geoffrey Regan not only recounts some of the staggering stories, but also highlights the kinds of difficulties that can lead to military disaster. His anecdotes encompass every aspect of warfare from the insanity of commanders to the provision of inadequate supplies. This entertaining and instructive book will appeal to the military buff and general reader alike. military art and science - history, military history -
Woodend RSL
Map, Afghanistan South Western Oruzgan Helmad and Kandahar Province’s July 2009, September 2009
Map was used by Alan Mitchell-Lapin during patrols with Commando Regiment. Alan Mitchell-Lapin is a resident of Woodend.Alan Mitchell-Lappin is a member of the Woodend RSL who served with the Commandos in Afghanistan. Alan was awarded a Commendation for Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan. The map was utilised by Alan during his patrols.Patrol map for South Western Orguzgan Helmand and Kandahar Province’s. Scale 1:200,000. Produced by Australian Government Department of Defence Intelligence and Security. Table top right -Military Legend. Tables middle right - Language distribution, and translation glossary. Table bottom right hand corner - Topograhic Legend. Table centre bottom - Grid magnetic Diagrams. Table top left corner - Tarwin Kowt weather infromation.Produced by the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation, Geospatial Analysis Centre, September 2009. Restricted at time of issue.afghanistan, map, orguzgan, helmand, kandahar, operation slipper, mitchell-lapin, 2009, digo 0098-0910, commando, special forces -
The 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment Historical Collection
Award - Unoffical Medal - 168 CSM F Brent, 2nd Australian Inf Bde Sports France 11.6.17, c1917
Presented to 168 CSM F. Brent for 2nd Aust Inf Bde Sports - France - 11.6.17168 CSM Frank Thomas Brent served in the 6th Battalion in WW1 . He was awarded a DCM for conspicuous gallantry and devotion in an attack. He took command of a party and attacked an enemy strong point, capturing 20 prisoners and 2 machine guns. He also rendered valuable assistance in consolodationg the captured position and set a splendid example to his men.A stylised cross in a circular pattern with a single suspension point and ring Obverse - ' 2nd Aust Inf Bde Sports France 11.6.17 ' Reverse - ' 168 CSM BRENT 6th Batn AIF' Hallmarked Diameter - 33Obverse - ' 2nd Aust Inf Bde Sports France 11.6.17 ' Reverse - ' 168 CSM BRENT 6th Batn AIF'ww1, 5/6 rvr, 2nd australian infantry brigade -
Lilydale RSL Sub Branch
Book, This England Books, The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997
An Illustrated directory of the world's highest gallantry awardBook - Mainly red cover with an Illustration of the Victoria Cross and Titlenon-fictionAn Illustrated directory of the world's highest gallantry award -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book, Victorian Government, Victoria's World War One Legacy : Recipients of the Victoria Cross : ANZAC centenary, 2014-2018 sharing Victoria's stories & making connections, 2014
The following 26 stories are about outstanding valour on the battlefields of the Great War. They tell the story of men who were recipients of the Victoria Cross, the British Empire’s highest award for bravery in wartime, and now Australia’s pre-eminent award for conspicuous gallantry in combat. Inside cover.31 pages : portraits Includes bibliographical references.non-fictionThe following 26 stories are about outstanding valour on the battlefields of the Great War. They tell the story of men who were recipients of the Victoria Cross, the British Empire’s highest award for bravery in wartime, and now Australia’s pre-eminent award for conspicuous gallantry in combat. Inside cover.australian army, soldiers, world war one, victoria cross, military decorations -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Award, Unit Citation
Unit citation awarded to 8th Batt RAR for search and destroy operations in Phuoc Tuy province. The Battalion were able to destroy the secret zone of Viet Cong main force units causing heavy casualties so population could live safely also help to rebuild roads, bridges, markets, and schoolsvietnamese cross of gallantry -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Abraham, Tom, The cage (Copy 1)
Tom "Bud" Abraham was one of the very few Englishmen to serve in Vietnam. As an officer in the 1st Cavalry Division during 1967/8, he saw combat in some of the fierest encounters of the war. By his gallantry earned him a chestful of medals, including the Silver Star, one of the highest decorations awarded by the American Army.Tom "Bud" Abraham was one of the very few Englishmen to serve in Vietnam. As an officer in the 1st Cavalry Division during 1967/8, he saw combat in some of the fierest encounters of the war. By his gallantry earned him a chestful of medals, including the Silver Star, one of the highest decorations awarded by the American Army.prisoners of war - vietnam - biography, vietnam war, 1961 - 1975 - prisoners and prisons -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Abraham, Tom, The Cage (Copy 3)
Tom "Bud" Abraham was one of the very few Englishmen to serve in Vietnam. As an officer in the 1st Cavalry Division during 1967/8, he saw combat in some of the fierest encounters of the war. By his gallantry earned him a chest full of medals, including the Silver Star, one of the highest decorations awarded by the American ArmyTom "Bud" Abraham was one of the very few Englishmen to serve in Vietnam. As an officer in the 1st Cavalry Division during 1967/8, he saw combat in some of the fierest encounters of the war. By his gallantry earned him a chest full of medals, including the Silver Star, one of the highest decorations awarded by the American Army prisoners of war - vietnam - biography, vietnam war, 1961 - 1975 - prisoners and prisons -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Abraham, Tom, The Cage (Copy 4)
Tom "Bud" Abraham was one of the very few Englishmen to serve in Vietnam. As an officer in the 1st Cavalry Division during 1967/8, he saw combat in some of the fierest encounters of the war. By his gallantry earned him a chestful of medals, including the Silver Star, one of the highest decorations awarded by the American Army.Tom "Bud" Abraham was one of the very few Englishmen to serve in Vietnam. As an officer in the 1st Cavalry Division during 1967/8, he saw combat in some of the fierest encounters of the war. By his gallantry earned him a chestful of medals, including the Silver Star, one of the highest decorations awarded by the American Army. prisoners of war - vietnam - biography, vietnam war, 1961 - 1975 - prisoners and prisons, tom "bud" abraham, 1st cavalry division