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1 RAR Association Incorporated

PTE Dick Norden VC, DCM

DVA Website with Dick Norden's background.

Citation for VC reads:

For most conspicuous acts of gallantry in action in the presence of the enemy in the ‘AO Surfers’ Area of Operations in Bien Hoa province, Vietnam, on the 14th of May 1968 during the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral. During Operation Toan Thang the 5th Platoon, Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, were ambushed and came under heavy fire from an estimated squad of seven to ten North Vietnamese army regular soldiers. Private Norden, a member of the leading section, ran forward under heavy enemy fire to the section commander and the forward scout who were wounded during the initial contact. Private Norden killed one North Vietnamese enemy soldier whilst moving forward and having depleted, expended, his ammunition, recovered that enemy's automatic weapon which he used against further North Vietnamese army soldiers. He then half carried, half dragged the severely wounded section commander back to the section. Private Norden, seriously wounded, again advanced to the forward scout. He pressed forward under enemy fire and reached the scout, killing the North Vietnamese army soldier who had been using the scout as a shield. Having determined that the scout was dead, Private Norden returned to the section to collect grenades and moved forward for the third time. He cleared the area to enable the body of the scout to be recovered. Private Norden showed a complete disregard for his own personal safety and his courage and selfless acts resulted in the enemy position being secured and likely saved the lives of the other members of the platoon.