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Major Peter Badcoe VC World Naval Ships Forums Archive

Major Peter Badcoe VC

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A few days ago, the VC awarded to Major Peter Badcoe was sold at auction for $400,000. It was bought jointly by an Australian entrepreneur and the South Australian Government thus ensuring it would remain in Australia. Major Badcoe won his VC in Vietnam. There he was commonly known as the Red Devil as he usually wore a red beret in action. For his services in Vietnam, in addition to the Victoria Cross, Peter Badcoe was also decorated from the United States of America with their Silver Star with oakleaf cluster, the Purple Heart and an Air Medal. The South Vietnamese awarded him the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star and Silver Star, and the Wound Medal. Badcoe was on an operation with the 1st Army of the Republic of Vietnam Division Reaction Company, supported by armoured personnel carriers, in the Huong Tra district. The citation reads: On 7 April 1967, on an operation in Huong Tra District, Major Badcoe was with the 1st ARVN Division Reaction Company and some armoured personnel carriers. During the move forward to an objective the company came under heavy small arms fire and withdrew to a cemetery for cover. This left Major Badcoe and his radio operator about 50 metres in front of the leading elements, under heavy mortar fire. Seeing this withdrawal, Major Badcoe ran back to them, moved amongst them and by encouragement and example got them moving forward again. He then set out in front of the company to lead them on; the company stopped again under heavy fire but Major Badcoe continued on to cover and prepared to throw grenades. When he rose to throw, his radio operator pulled him down as heavy small arms fire was being brought to bear on them. He later got up again to throw a grenade and was hit and killed by a burst of machine gun fire. Soon after, friendly artillery fire was called in and the position was assaulted and captured. Major Badcoe's conspicuous gallantry and leadership on all these occasions was an inspiration to all. Each action, ultimately, was successful, due entirely to his efforts, the final one ending in his death. His valour and leadership were in the highest traditions of the military profession and the Australian Regular Army. He was famous with the troops and with the Vietnamese for his conspicuous gallantry under fire. There were several other occasions where he performed as bravely. Badcoe was born Jan 1934 in Adelaide. He graduated from the Officer Cadet School Portsea in 1952. He was 33 years old, and a major in the Australian Army Training Team, Australian Forces during the Vietnam War when he won his VC. Badcoe was buried at the Terendak cemetery, Malaysia, his epitaph being 'He lived and died a soldier'. In November 1967 an Australian and New Zealand soldier's club in Vietnam was officially opened as the Peter Badcoe Club. A training block at the Officer Cadet School, Portsea, was also named Badcoe Hall in his honour. There is also a shrine in Vietnam erected in his honour.

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