By G. Mudalige, Jadetimes Staff
G. Mudalige is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology & Innovation
In a profound recognition of valor, Private Richard Norden, a young Australian soldier, has been posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, the highest military honor within the Commonwealth. This esteemed medal was granted for Norden's selfless acts of bravery during the Vietnam War, specifically in a 1968 battle near what was then Saigon. The Victoria Cross award, approved by His Majesty, commemorates the 19-year-old Norden’s gallant actions in the heat of intense enemy fire, where he prioritized the lives of his comrades over his own safety, exemplifying the essence of military honor and dedication.
On May 14, 1968, Norden’s company was ambushed by North Vietnamese Army forces. Despite immediate and extreme danger, he made multiple trips through hostile fire to save his fellow soldiers. One scout in his unit was killed instantly, and the section Commander was left critically wounded. Demonstrating what has been described as a “complete disregard for his own personal safety,” Norden charged into the battle zone to retrieve the commander, eventually carrying him to safety. Though severely wounded himself, Norden returned to attempt to retrieve the fallen scout’s body. Finding his comrade dead, he went back to gather grenades and entered the fray once again to secure the area, enabling his comrades to recover the scout’s remains.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking on Remembrance Day, lauded Private Norden as a “true Australian hero” whose actions displayed “extraordinary courage and selflessness.” This accolade aligns with the sentiments of the Governor-General of Australia, Sam Mostyn, who noted the honor as both a historic day for Australia and a profound moment for Norden’s family. Norden’s widow, Robynn Freeman, expressed the family’s deep appreciation for the posthumous recognition, honoring his bravery and sacrifice, which has now been permanently enshrined in Australian military history.
Private Norden survived the Vietnam War but tragically lost his life at age 24 in a separate incident while serving as a police officer in Canberra. His heroic legacy, however, continues to inspire and resonate, not only with his family but also with the larger Australian community. A formal ceremony to present the Victoria Cross to his family will be held in the coming months.
More than 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam, a highly contentious conflict that led to widespread protests and national division. A quarter of these soldiers were conscripted as part of an allied contingent supporting U.S. operations against North Vietnamese forces. Australia’s involvement, spanning from 1962 to 1973, saw 521 Australian lives lost. By the war’s end in 1975, an estimated three million Vietnamese civilians and soldiers had perished, with the U.S. losing over 58,000 military personnel.
Private Norden’s Victoria Cross is not only a tribute to his bravery but also serves as a lasting reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served. His story stands as a symbol of the courage displayed by countless Australian soldiers, both in Vietnam and in other conflicts, and highlights the ongoing reverence for acts of extraordinary valor that continue to shape national identity and historical memory.
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