1 RAR Association Incorporated
Private Richard (Dick) Leslie Norden, VC
On 14 May 1968, Richard’s platoon came under heavy fire during one of a series of contacts outside the FSBs. These contacts were part of the larger Battle of Coral–Balmoral. Using his initiative and demonstrating care for his mates, Richard rescued a wounded soldier and recovered the body of another, with little cover and under intense enemy fire. His actions prevented the enemy from inflicting further casualties.
Richard was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) on 20 August 1968 for actions on 14 May 1968. Richard attended an investiture at Government House in October 1969 with his wife and mother. Richard was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia (VC) on 11 November 2024 for his bravery during the Vietnam War more than 50 years before. The Victoria Cross is Australia's highest military honour. The awarding of the VC recinds the award of the DCM received for the same action.
Further Information
| Born | Gundagai |
| Enlisted | |
| Service Number | 2412437 |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment |
| Died | Canberra, ACT |
Richard Norden's VC Citation:
| 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. |
The Battle of Coral-Balmoral & Richard Norden VC Memorial website
The Battle of Coral-Balmoral & Richard Norden VC Memorial website in Gundagai provides a central site to tell the story of the Battle of Coral-Balmoral in the Vietnam War, and the Battle’s Victoria Cross for Australia recipient, Gundagai-born and raised, Private Richard Norden VC.
Photos by President Jim Masters, OAM at the Opening of the Memorial