Historical information

This object was from the Estate of Sergeant Gordon Dudley Buttriss (Service number A21702), a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) helicopter crewman who served with No. 9 Squadron in 1966-7. Nicknamed "Stinky", he was awarded the George Medal for rescuing the trapped co-pilot and passengers of a burning RAAF Iroquois helicopter after it crashed on Nui Thi Vai Mountain on 18 October 1966. The helicopter was loaded with TNT.
The George medal recognizes acts of extreme danger and gallantry not in the face of the enemy. Only three were awarded during the Vietnam War.

Physical description

Olive green flying helmet. The helmet has a black single visor and black padded earphones. The helmet is padded on the inside with foam and the helmet is secured by a chin strap. A boom mounted microphone is attached to the left side.