The Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation was conferred by General Cao Van Vien, Chief of the Joint General Staff, Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam on 24 October 1970, and officially presented to the 8th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment by Lieutenant General Do Cao Tri, Commander of II Corps and Military Region 3 Vietnam on 29th October 1970. The citation was awarded for "always displaying high morale while co-operating and assisting the Vietnamese people in their struggle against Communism and to defend peace and freedom .. in Military Region III ... Though fighting under the most difficult conditions, the members of the 8th Battalion, 1st Australian Task Force still fought bravely and determinedly and had many glorious victories. Their most remarkable military operations took place in the area of the Long Hai hills... (They also participated ) ... in the civic action programme to assist the local population ( in Military Region 3) to reconstruct their houses, roads, bridges, markets and schools etc. ... thereby bringing great credit to the Royal Australian Armed Forces."2 X paper documents, one in English the other in Vietnamese (mounted with white matt in timber frame). Each has been printed with a decorative blue border, main text in black, official stamp in bottom right corner is red. A blue medal with red and yellow ribbon is printed in centre top of both documents.Republic of Vietnam/ Gallantry Cross/Chief of the General Staff? Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam/ Army Meritorious Commendation/ The 8th Battalion, 1st Australian Task Force/ For the gallantry they displayed under enemy fire./ This Meritorious Commendation ((GALLANTRY CROSS)) is added with (a) palm (leaf)./KBC day 24 month 10 Year 19708rar, koo, arthur koo, citation, gallantry cross, gallantry cross with palm

Frecker carried out 7 sorties before joining the unit and 21 successful sorties with his squadron making a total of 179.4 hours operational flying. He was attacked and badly damaged by a night fighter on 12 April 1942, after attacking Essen. He brought his aircraft home and successfully crash-landed away from base without causing injury to his crew. Throughout his tour of operations he maintained a high degree of courage and skill.The Distinguished Flying Medal Register WWII. Flight Lt Frecker, Mason Day. Campaign Stars 1939-45 Star. Aircrew Europe Star. Pacific Star. War Medals - Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45.a22.02

Replica Pacific Star, Campaign Stars and War Medals 1939-45. Aircrew Europe Star. Defence Medal 1939-45. Awarded to Mason Day Frecker.a22.03

RAAF member's Pay Book (in poor condition)Official No. 402653. Pay Book No. 29946. Surname: Frecker. Christian Names: Mason Day. Royal Australian Air Force Member's Pay Booka22.09

Used by Mason Day Frecker (RAAF) during WWIIPen nibs used during 1939-1945a22.12

The first tunnel rats: this is the thrilling, hilarious and inspiring true story of a ragtag band of Aussie Army Engineers who redefined the word heroes...and reinvented larrikin to. Amongst the first Australians to fight in Vietnam, they faced death every day defusing Viet Cong booby traps - then partied all night in a casino they'd built in secret. They led hundreds of American troops to safety, but fought the US military police to a standstill in the bars of South Vietnam. They built the Australian Task Force's base - then sabotaged a headquarters conference, booby trapped showers and blew up a generator rather than kowtow to newly arrived officers.3 field troop royal australian engineers, cpl bob bowtell, tunnel rats, royal australian engineers, 1rar battalion, booby traps, viet cong, australian task force

The year is 1968 - The Tet Offensive has begun. Conscript James "Ned" Kelly os one of six men who featured in this dramatic Vietnam story. "Ned" is almost half-way through his sentenced "Tour of Duty", and is part of the specialist aviation unit, the Australian Army's 161 Reconaissance Flight.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, australian, tet offensive, 161 recce flight, james "ned" kelly

Coloured image taken from Ektochrome slide by 2786946 John McEwan. Group of Army Officers in a crowd of soldiers with Chaplain's CrossFrom my 'day book' Christmas Day 1970 - I quote. "About midnight, "chuck" Berry worn out, his second tour....caught me by surprise, standing in the door looking at me "I've had it" is all he said"ektachrome slide, 1st australian field hospital, photograph

Ektachrome slide image. Photograph of 7 soldiers unloading an army helicopter (a stretcher)I was a chopper crewman in vietnam 1971. I remeber bringing in a gadly bloodstained chopper for a multi-casualty ARVN minefield and you cleaned it up for me. that has stuck with me as I'd had enough that day. Thanks again.1st australian field hospital, arvn

Mostly Sailors deals with the life of sailors on board various ships in the Royal Australian Navy and how a boring and monotonous day can turn quickly into life threatening situations.australia. royal australian navy - history - vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - naval operations, australian

Green coloured folder containing an account of some of the experiences of 9 Platoon, Charlie co. of the 3rd Royal Australian RegimentIt was Sunday 4th October 1987, on the grounds of the Domain in Sydney, the day after the "welcome Home" parade. Garry Heffernan thought it would be a good idea to collect the contact details of the Platoon members who were present, and then, try and find those who were missing.3 rar, royal australian regiment, 3rd battalion, 9 platoon, welcome home parade 1987

The complete story of the Australian fighting man, of the reputation earned at Anzac Cove, Tobruk, and in New Guinea, is told here in the first attempt to trace Australia's military tradition from its inauspicious beginnings to the present day. australia - armed forces - history, australia - history, military, australia. wars, 1885-1972

The year is 1968 - The Tet Offensive has begun. Conscript James "Ned" Kelly os one of six men who featured in this dramatic Vietnam story. "Ned" is almost half-way through his sentenced "Tour of Duty", and is part of the specialist aviation unit, the Australian Army's 161 Reconaissance Flight.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, australian, tet offensive, 161 recce flight, james "ned" kelly

A black and white photograph of Members of Australian Army Training Team Vietnam assemble on ANZAC Day 1970 in Danang enjoy Erica De Wit, lead singer of the Official Apr-May 70 Sydney Concert Party. The concert was held on the lawn of AATTV HQ in Downtown Danangphotograph, entertainment, erica de wit, aattv, anzac day 1970, danang, gibbons collection catalogue

A black and white photograph of - As troop numbers and the Australian role in the conflict increased, the pressure was seen at the Latter Day concert Party's at the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat Luscombe Bowl. The Diggers eventually completely surrounding the stage areaphotograph, entertainment, 1 atf, nui dat, luscombe bowl, gibbons collection catalogue, digger

A black and white photograph of The Wills Sisters: one of headline acts with the official Feb-Mar 69 South Australian Concert Party perform in the recreation building at the RAAF Air Base, Vung Tau. This was the third show of the day performed by members of the South Australian Concert Party.photograph, entertainers, wills sisters, south australian concert party, raaf, vung tau, gibbons collection catalogue

A black and white photograph of lead singer Shirley Simmons, of her own Shirley Simmons Concert Party, entertains on the lawn of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, on Anzac Day 25 April 1967, at their Northern Headquarters in down town Danang.photograph, aattv, shirley simmons, danang, gibbons collection catalogue, entertainers, shirley simmons concert party

A black and white photograph of Lucky Star and Digby Richards along with members of their concert party, leave the Champa Museum in Danag following a visit during a rare break in the concert tour. They had on the previous day entertained the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam.photograph, aattv, entertainers, lucky star, digby richards, champa musuem, gibbons collection catalogue

A black and white photograph - Following morning services, Anzac Day 25 April 1967, at the Northern Headquarters of Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, in Danang, those members able to get in to Danang from the field were entertained by dancers from the Shirley Simmons Concert partyphotograph, aattv, danang, entertainers, shirley simmons concert party, gibbons collection catalogue, digger

A black and white photograph of Diggers from 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, south vietnam, visit the King of Thailand's Royal Barge Factory whilst on R&R in Bangkok. The diggers took in the many beautiful sites during the day and the night life after dark.photograph, 1 atf base, nui dat, r & c leave, gibbons collection catalogue, bangkok, digger

A tragedy this day stunned our nation - Australia's worst peace-time military disaster - the sinking of the destroyer HMAS VOYAGER.voyager (destroyer 1952-1964), sailors - australia - biography, marine accidents - australian capital territory - jervis bay

The complete story of the Australian fighting man, of the reputation earned at Anzac Cove, Tobruk, and in New Guinea, is told here in the first attepmt to trace Australia's military tradition from its inauspicious beginnings to the present day.australia - armed forces - history, australia - history, military, australia. wars, 1885-1972

The complete story of the Australian fighting man, of the reputation earned at Anzac Cove, Tobruk, and in New Guinea, is told here in the first attempt to trace Australia's military tradition from its inauspicious beginnings to the present day. australia - armed forces - history, australia - history, military, australia. wars, 1885-1972

Order Of The Day. To the Australian Army on the occasion of the Centenary of the Army - March 2001australia. army - history, general peter cosgrove

Australia sent approximately 50,000 men and women to a war in Vietnam and courage was shown every day of the 12 months served.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - participation, australian

A friendly and professional service that extends from an initial appraisal right through to the day of the auction.medals, australian - history, decorations of honor - australia - history

War is a photographic collection of Australia's most creative and award winning documentary photographers who have covered conflicts from Vietnam to present-day Afghanistan.war photography - history, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - pictorial works

A black and white photograph of a Group photo of the placed runners in the 5000 metre footrace from the market place at Long Dien. The race was run on the Vietnamese National DayTHE GREAT HUNG VUONG DAY ROAD RACE - 15th APRIL 1970: Hung Vuong Day, 15th April 1970, the Vietnamese National Day commemorating the events of the birth of the Vietnamese Race, is on of the most important festivals of the Vietnamese Memorabilia. The placed contestant athletics in the 5000 metre foot race from the market place at Long Dien, south east of Nui Dat, the 1st Australian Task force Base, along national Route 23 to the town square at Baria (Phuoc Le), the Phuoc Tuy Province Capital. The multi coloured shirts of the various contestants, from the numerous military and civilian units in the province and the Australian Task Force looked out of place in the war zone. It took 17 minutes, 5 seconds for the outright winner to get to the finish, a strapping young SAS soldier, Trooper John Thurgar, from Scone, N.S.W. of the 1st Special Air Service Squadron, one of the Australian contestants. The first prize, silver cup, was presented to Trooper Thrugar by Colonel Tu, The Province Chief, Colonel Peter Falkland, the 1st Australian Task Force Deputy Commander presented the first Vietnamese contestant across the finish line with a silver cup. In all there were trophies for the first siz places by the Vietnamese and the "visitors", SAS took the first three Australian/New Zealand places whilst the last three came from other 1st Australian Task Force Units, the first prize for each of the individual winners was a large silver cup, for the next five runners up, by the Australians there was a smaller silver cup, for the Vietnamese first place there was a silver cup the same size as for the Australian, outright, winner, while the next five Vietnamese runners up received a parcel of clothing and towels.photograph, 1st sas sqn, baria, phuoc tuy province, vietnamese national day, gibbons collection catalogue, great hung vuong day road race, trooper john thurgar, national route 23, nui dat, long dien village, col tu, col peter falkland, 1st atf base, sas

A black and white photograph - At the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam, medics and guests are welcomed into th O.R.'s Mess for as day of frivolity, guest on the day came from as far away as the 1st Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, 1st atf base, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, medic, vung tau, phuoc tuy province

A black and white photograph of Pte Dave Henderson, from Dickson ACT a forward scout with 8 RAR enjoys a game of pool with a fellow patient in the Red Cross hut at the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau. Henderson was awaiting medivac day to return him Australia.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, red cross, 8 rar, pte dave henderson, gibbons collection catalogue