Richard Leslie Norden VC

On Remembrance Day, Private Richard Leslie Norden was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia for "most conspicuous acts of gallantry" during the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral in Vietnam in 1968.

A local constituent who served with Mr Norden in the ACT Police after the war advocated for this award, and it was a privilege to write to the Minister of Defence on his behalf and support his efforts.

On 14 May 1968, then 19-year-old Private Norden’s unit came under heavy fire by North Vietnamese Army soldiers.

With little cover, Private Norden ran into intense enemy fire to reach a severely wounded section commander, dragging him back to the platoon.

Seriously wounded himself, Private Norden again faced enemy fire to reach the forward scout, who was being used as a shield by a North Vietnamese Army soldier.

Determining the scout was dead, Private Norden returned to the unit to collect grenades and moved forward for a third time, clearing the area to enable the scout’s body to be recovered.

His heroic actions saved the lives of other members of the platoon.

Private Norden’s service continued upon his return to Australia, working as a police officer before his untimely death at just 24 while on duty.

It is only appropriate that Private Norden’s valour, courage and selflessness is recognised with the Victoria Cross for Australia.