06/05/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/1F1AnzSK8X/
60 years later... absolutely appalling!!!!
Vietnam veteran John O'Halloran has received Australia's third-highest military honour, the Medal of Gallantry, at a ceremony at Government House in Perth.
STORY: https://ab.co/4f4p4mB
Mr O'Halloran was 21 when he led a fixed bayonet charge against a Vietcong jungle stronghold during Operation Bribie, almost 60 years ago.
WA Governor Chris Dawson said Mr O'Halloran, as a second lieutenant, led his platoon in a "fierce firefight, outnumbered against a dangerous and well-armed foe in the jungle of Vietnam".
"John gave the last order in our storied military history for an Australian body of soldiers facing overwhelming odds to fix their bayonets and charge forward, on foot, under fire," Mr Dawson said.
"In John's own words: 'We landed at half past three in the afternoon, by four o'clock I had six dead and 12 wounded.'"
Mr Dawson said Mr O'Halloran's men became the most decorated Australian platoon to serve in Vietnam.
Mr O'Halloran was given a standing ovation after receiving his medal.
