The Victoria Cross - Keith Payne VC OAM

This is CSM Robert B Fast III and Keith Payne VC OAM, together at the reunion of the Australian Army Training Team of Vietnam at Kokoda Barracks, Canungra, Queensland in Australia. Let me tell you a story of Keith Payne VC OAM and his distinguished service in the Australian Army and to the veterans of the world.

Keith Payne was born in Ingham, Queensland in 1933. He joined the Australian Army in August of 1951 and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in September of that same year.

He served in Korea from 1952-1953, Malaya in 1965, and went to officers training that same year. On 24 February 1969, he joined the Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam.

In May of that year, he was commanding the 212st Company of the 1st Mobile Strike Force Battalion when it was attacked by a strong North Vietnamese force. His company was isolated, surrounded on three sides, and Payne's Vietnamese troops began to fall back. Payne was wounded in the hands and arms and under heavy fire, but he covered the withdrawal before organizing his troops into a defensive parameter. He spent three hours scouring the area for isolated and wounded soldiers- while evading the enemy -who kept up regular fire. He found some forty wounded men, brought some back himself and organized the rescue of the rest, before leading the party back to base through enemy dominated terrain.

Payne's actions that night earned him the Victoria Cross.

Meet the Victoria Cross. It was created by Queen Victoria in 1856. The medal itself is fashoned, by hand, from the metal of cannons captured from the Russians during the Crimean War (1854-1856) The words "For Valour" are inscribed in the semicircle scroll beneath the crown. Only four VCs were awarded during the Vietnam War, and two were posthumously. Keith Payne VC OAM is the only living VC holder in Australia at this time.

He received his award from Queen Elizabeth herself aboard the Britannia, while anchored off the coast of Brisbane. He was also awarded the Distuinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star from the United States. He was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2006 for his continued service to veterans affairs and servicemen and their families. He resides with his wife, Flo, and their five sons in Makay, Queensland. (where he is looking for a vacation home for Robert and I)

Needless to say, it was a day of honors, memories and recognition of these great men and how they served their country in war. There is nothing greater than having the honor of listening to great, distinguished leaders of history as they tell their stories. It will NEVER be forgotten.