Latest news with #RobynnFreeman
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Posthumous Victoria Cross presented to family of Vietnam War hero Richard Norden
The family of the late Private Richard Norden has been formally presented with the Victoria Cross for Australia, the nation's highest military honour, in recognition of his extraordinary bravery during the Vietnam War. At a special investiture ceremony held in Rockhampton on Tuesday, Private Norden's widow, Robynn Freeman, received the award on behalf of her late husband, nearly 60 years after his heroic actions. The recognition comes for his bravery during the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral on May 14, 1968. Private Norden's eldest son, Shane Norden Freeman, said his dad's army mates hate fought for him to be given the rare honour. 'It's been a long journey and there's been a lot of fighting going on in the background to get this for Dad,' Mr Freeman told the ABC. 'It didn't seem like this day would come. 'It's been 10 years of his army mates and police mates fighting for this – they've never given up.' Private Norden's platoon came under intense enemy fire during the battle. In the chaos, he showed 'remarkable courage and selflessness', rescuing a wounded soldier and recovering the body of another, despite facing heavy fire and having little cover. His actions helped secure the enemy position and likely saved the lives of many other soldiers. He was only 19 at the time. 'Private Richard Norden's bravery during the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral exemplifies the values we hold as Australians – those of tremendous courage and mateship,' Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said. 'Under fire from the enemy, Private Norden did not hesitate as he moved forward to help his fellow wounded soldiers.' Private Norden died in 1972 while serving with the ACT Police. 'Private Richard Norden's bravery during the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral exemplifies the values we hold as Australians – those of tremendous courage and mateship,' Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said. 'Under fire from the enemy, Private Norden did not hesitate as he moved forward to help his fellow wounded soldiers. 'I am honoured to have attended today's investiture ceremony to see Private Norden recognised with Australia's highest military honour.' Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Matt Keogh said he was pleased his family was finally receiving the honour. 'I'm so pleased that today, almost six decades after his heroic act, his family are finally receiving this important acknowledgment of his selfless service,' he said. 'Private Norden personified the Anzac spirit – disregarding his own safety to put his mates first.' Private Norden is the 102nd Victoria Cross recipient in Australia's history, and just the fifth Vietnam War veteran to receive the honour.
ABC News
3 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Victoria Cross awarded to late soldier Richard Norden for bravery during Vietnam War
He ran into enemy fire three times to rescue a wounded comrade and help recover the body of another. Fifty-seven years after his acts of bravery in the Vietnam War, Private Richard Norden has been posthumously awarded Australia's highest military honour. An investiture ceremony was held in Rockhampton on Tuesday morning, where the Governor-General presented the Victoria Cross medal to his widow, Robynn Freeman. For family, friends and former colleagues, the day has been "a long time coming". Private Norden, from Gundagai in New South Wales, was just 19 years old when he his platoon came under attack during the 1968 Battle of Fire Support Base Coral. The young soldier ran into heavy fire to reach his wounded section commander, who he half-carried, half-dragged back to safety. Private Norden, himself seriously injured, advanced twice more, clearing the area so the body of a second comrade could be recovered. His actions likely saved the lives of other members of the platoon. Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston, said the soldier's "complete disregard for his own safety" demonstrated extreme daring and a legacy of mateship. "When Richard chose to run forward into heavy enemy fire, he did not do so with the desire for glory or heroism," Admiral Johnston said. "He did so because he saw two of his mates isolated and wounded. "While Richard is not here with us today, we remember his courage, his dedication, his selflessness, his choice to risk his own life to save an injured man and ensure a fallen soldier could be returned home to his own loved ones." Private Norden returned from the war to serve as a police officer in Canberra. He died in a motorcycle accident while on duty in 1972, leaving behind his wife and two young children. His eldest son, Shane Norden Freeman, said the presentation of the Victoria Cross was an emotional moment for the family. "It's been a long journey and there's been a lot of fighting going on in the background to get this for Dad," he said. "It didn't seem like this day would come. Retired Lieutenant Colonel George Hulse never met Private Norden but was instrumental in campaigning for the late soldier to receive the military honour. "I have a feeling of profound relief," he said of the decision to award the Victoria Cross. "Private Dick Norden did an extraordinary thing — for a quiet country lad, he had done a most courageous thing. "He completely left his own life out of any reckoning as far as self-preservation was concerned." Private Norden has become the 102nd Victoria Cross recipient in Australia's history, and just the fifth Vietnam War veteran to receive the honour. Governor-General Sam Mostyn said the late soldier's heroism would be remembered for years to come. "In a moment of fire and fury, danger and confusion, Private Norden answered that call with a strength, determination, selflessness and valour that we in this place of peace find simply impossible to comprehend," she said. "The resolve of so many … to honour [his] memory … has given new generations of Australians the chance to know and understand the gallantry, the unflinching courage and devotion to duty that has etched his name permanently in our nation's story. "We commit ourselves again to strive to uphold the freedoms for which he fought. "We will not forget. We will remember."
