This Update is provided by The Hon Jane Prentice to our RAR Corporation’s Director Trevor Dixon’s letter of request for support.
“I write to you concerning the recent announcement by the Hon. Dan Tehan MP, Minister for Defence Personnel, about the current inquiry into military honours. As an advocate for Veterans, past, present and future, I consider the recognition of their sacrifice as paramount to the freedoms we are afforded in Australia.
Recently it has been highlighted to me that Veterans of the Battles of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral have been campaigning for a Unit Citation for Gallantry which is yet to be bestowed upon them. In my efforts to date I have raised this issue with the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence Personnel to ensure this advocacy at the very top echelons.
I am pleased that Minister Tehan has called on the independent Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal to conduct an inquiry into the deserved decoration for those involved in the Battles of Coral and Balmoral, and for those who had served as part of the Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam (the RANHFV).
This independent tribunal is taking submissions from the public and will give careful consideration to both matters.
Further information regarding both inquiries is available by visiting https://defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au/
I encourage all former members and interested parties to take advantage of this opportunity and lodge a submission. Submissions are open until Friday, 16 June 2017, and can be lodged via email to [email protected] or by mail to The Executive Officer, Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal, Locked Bag 7765, CANBERRA BC ACT 2610.
When I receive any advice or information concerning this matter I will advise you further.”
HON. JANE PRENTICE MP | Federal Member for Ryan | Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services
636 Moggill Road, Chapel Hill, QLD, 4069 | P O Box 704, Indooroopilly, QLD 4068.
Telephone: (07) 3378 1599|Facsimile: (07) 3378 1399 |
If the enemy, had come from the other side. Our weakest side, there is no way they could have been stopped. You wouldn’t have had to worry about citations. Because, we would have been wiped out to a man. As it was, they took on some of our bravest soldiers, and were repelled. This was the LARGEST battle in Viet Nam, and we hardly get a mention, ANYWHERE.
It’s about time these troops were awarded their deserved awards
The point is some have awards for a far less significant action!
The Battle of Fire Support base Coral and Balmoral – 12 th.May to 6th. June 1968. The main action being sustained by the N.V.A. on the 12th. and 13th. May by the 141st.N.V.A. Regiment against 1 R.A.R. and again on 16th.and 22nd.May.Then on the 22nd.May F.S.B.Coral was attacked again by N.V.A.later on on the 24th.and 28th.May 3 R.A.R. was attacked at F.S.B.Balmoral by the 165th. N.V.A. Regiment but had the supporting fire of Tanks, Artillery and mortar.Also, suporting elements of the R.A.N.H.F.V.However the battles continued into early June.The “Battle” of Coral and Balmoral was the first time the A.T.F. had clashed with Regular North Vietnamese Army Units operating at Regimental strength in conventional warefare. During the 26 days of fighting Communists forces the Battle of Coral – Barmoral was the largest unit – level action of the Vietnam War for the A.D.F.As with the receipients of the Battle for Long Tan, this appears to be a long awaited Battle Citation.
The Battle of Fire Support base Coral and Balmoral – 12 th.May to 6th. June 1968. The main action being sustained by the N.V.A. on the 12th. and 13th. May by the 141st.N.V.A. Regiment against 1 R.A.R. and again on 16th.and 22nd.May.Then on the 22nd.May F.S.B.Coral was attacked again by N.V.A. later on the 24th.and 28th.May 3 R.A.R. was attacked at F.S.B.Balmoral by the 165th. N.V.A. Regiment but had the supporting fire of Tanks, Artillery and mortar.Also, suporting elements of the R.A.N.H.F.V.However the battles continued into early June.The “Battle” of Coral and Balmoral was the first time the A.T.F. had clashed with Regular North Vietnamese Army Units operating at Regimental strength in conventional warefare. During the 26 days of fighting Communists forces the Battle of Coral – Barmoral was the largest unit – level action of the Vietnam War for the A.D.F.As with the receipients of the Battle for Long Tan, this appears to be a long awaited Battle Citation.
The Battle of Balmoral: My research of Vietnamese communist documents – and death certificates, indicates that the attacking NVA force on 26 May 1968 was the 141st NVA Regiment and the attacking force on 28 May was the 165 NVA Regiment (-) reinforced by the 1st Battalion of the 141st NVA Regiment. Supporting elements included the Tan Uyen Local Force Unit and Youth Assault Youth Groups (assisting with casualty evacuation). At the Battle of Long Tan in August 1966, D/6RAR withstood assaults by the 275 VC Main Force Regiment (whose 3rd Battalion had been the D605 NVA Battalion up until May 66) and the D445 VC Local Force Battalion – ie a regimental-sized force +.