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Keith Payne, VC, AM (born 30 August 1933) is an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the presence of the enemy" awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. Payne's VC was awarded for his actions during the Vietnam War. Aged 85, he is the last living Australian recipient of the original "Imperial" Victoria Cross.[Note 1]
Payne served with his unit in the Korean War from April 1952 to March 1953.[1] He married Florence Plaw, a member of the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps, in December 1954, and was promoted to corporal the following year. Payne served in Malaya with this unit and in 1965, now a sergeant, he joined the 5th Battalion. In June 1965, by now a Warrant Officer Class II, Payne was a fieldcraft instructor on the staff of the Officer Training Unit, Scheyville, established to commission national servicemen. In February 1967 he was posted to Papua New Guinea where he served with the 2nd Battalion, Pacific Islands Regiment. He remained there until March 1968 when he returned to Brisbane. On 24 February 1969 he was posted to the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV).[1]
In May 1969 he was commanding the 212th Company of the 1st Mobile Strike Force Battalion when it was attacked by a strong North Vietnamese force near Ben Het Camp. His company was isolated and, surrounded on three sides, Payne's Vietnamese troops began to fall back. Payne, by now wounded in the hands and arms and under heavy fire, covered the withdrawal before organising his troops into a defensive perimeter. He then spent three hours scouring the scene of the day's fight for isolated and wounded soldiers, all the while evading the enemy who kept up regular fire. He found some forty wounded men, brought some in himself and organised the rescue of the others, leading the party back to base through enemy dominated terrain.[1]
Payne's actions that night earned him the Victoria Cross, which was gazetted on 19 September 1969.[2] He was evacuated to Brisbane in September suffering from an illness, receiving a warm reception at the airport before entering hospital. In January 1970 Payne was posted to the Royal Military College, Duntroon as an instructor.[1]
Payne received his VC from the Queen aboard the Royal Yacht, Britannia, in Brisbane on 13 April 1970. He was made a Freeman of the city and of the shire in which his hometown was located. A park in Stafford, Brisbane, (where Payne lived) was also named after him. He also received the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star from the United States of America and the Republic of Vietnam awarded Payne the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star.[3]
He was later posted to the 42nd Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment.[1] Payne subsequently retired from the Australian Army in 1975, but saw further action as a captain with the Army of the Sultan of Oman against communist forces in the Dhofar War in 1975 and 1976.[3]
Payne served with his unit in the Korean War from April 1952 to March 1953.[1] He married Florence Plaw, a member of the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps, in December 1954, and was promoted to corporal the following year. Payne served in Malaya with this unit and in 1965, now a sergeant, he joined the 5th Battalion. In June 1965, by now a Warrant Officer Class II, Payne was a fieldcraft instructor on the staff of the Officer Training Unit, Scheyville, established to commission national servicemen. In February 1967 he was posted to Papua New Guinea where he served with the 2nd Battalion, Pacific Islands Regiment. He remained there until March 1968 when he returned to Brisbane. On 24 February 1969 he was posted to the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV).[1]
In May 1969 he was commanding the 212th Company of the 1st Mobile Strike Force Battalion when it was attacked by a strong North Vietnamese force near Ben Het Camp. His company was isolated and, surrounded on three sides, Payne's Vietnamese troops began to fall back. Payne, by now wounded in the hands and arms and under heavy fire, covered the withdrawal before organising his troops into a defensive perimeter. He then spent three hours scouring the scene of the day's fight for isolated and wounded soldiers, all the while evading the enemy who kept up regular fire. He found some forty wounded men, brought some in himself and organised the rescue of the others, leading the party back to base through enemy dominated terrain.[1]
Payne's actions that night earned him the Victoria Cross, which was gazetted on 19 September 1969.[2] He was evacuated to Brisbane in September suffering from an illness, receiving a warm reception at the airport before entering hospital. In January 1970 Payne was posted to the Royal Military College, Duntroon as an instructor.[1]
Payne received his VC from the Queen aboard the Royal Yacht, Britannia, in Brisbane on 13 April 1970. He was made a Freeman of the city and of the shire in which his hometown was located. A park in Stafford, Brisbane, (where Payne lived) was also named after him. He also received the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star from the United States of America and the Republic of Vietnam awarded Payne the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star.[3]
He was later posted to the 42nd Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment.[1] Payne subsequently retired from the Australian Army in 1975, but saw further action as a captain with the Army of the Sultan of Oman against communist forces in the Dhofar War in 1975 and 1976.[3]
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Keith Payne - Wikipedia
Posted from en.wikipedia.org
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This is an open and candid conversation with 2 outstanding Australians. Keith Payne VC AM and his wife Florence Payne OAM.
Thank you, my friend Maj Marty Hogan for making us aware that August 30 is the anniversary of the birth of Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC) Keith Payne, VC, AM who was awarded the VC for his actions during the Vietnam War.
I am glad to learn he was alive and healthy when he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Happy 86th birthday Keith Payne.
Ep 5 Keith Payne VC
"This is an open and candid conversation with 2 outstanding Australians. Keith Payne VC AM and his wife Florence Payne OAM."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7srdeY78Rk
Images:
1. Keith Payne's Medals - including Victoria Cross at left, Distinguished Service Cross (6th medal from right) and Silver Star (5th medal from right) medals.
Medals left to right:
Victoria Cross
Medal of the Order of Australia ( OAM )
Australian Active Service Medal ( 1945-75 ); 4 clasps:
"Korea" - Malaysia" - "Vietnam" - "Thai-Malay"
Korea Medal ( 1950-53 )
United Nations Korea Medal ( 1950-53 )
General Service Medal ( 1962- ); 1 clasp:
"Malay Peninsula"
Vietnam Medal ( 1965-68 )
Australian Service Medal ( 1945-75 ); 3 clasps:
"Korea" - "SE Asia" - "PNG"
Queen Elizabeth Silver Jubilee Medal ( 1977 )
Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal ( 2002 )
Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal ( 2012 )
Centenary Medal ( 2001 ) ( Australia )
Defence Force Service Medal ( Australia )
National Medal ( 1975 ) ( Australia )
Australia Defence Medal ( Australia )
Meritorious Service Medal ( MSM )
'Commonwealth of Australia' Issue
Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal ( LSGC )
'Australia' suspension:
Distinguished Service Cross ( DSC ) ( US issue )
Silver Star ( USA )
Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star ( Rep of Vietnam )
South Vietnam Campaign Medal ( Rep of Vietnam ); 1 clasp:
'1960'
General Service Medal ( Oman )
As Sumood Medal ( Oman )
Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal ( Malaysia )
2. Wedding of Keith and Florence Payne December 4, 1954.
3. Keith Payne in Vietnam in 1969.jpg
4. CANBERRA, ACT. 1970-04-25. Her Royal Highness, the Princess Anne speaking to Warrant Officer 2 Keith Payne, his wife Florance at right and their children.
1. Background from awm.gov.au/collection/P10676775#biography
Service number 12222
Birth Date 30 August 1933
Birth Place Australia: Queensland, Ingham
Final Rank Warrant Officer Class 2
Service Australian Army
Units
Australian Army
Australian Army Training Team Vietnam
Place Ingham
Conflict/Operation Indonesian Confrontation, 1962-1966
Gazettes Biographical information They dared mightily. in 1963
Published in London Gazette in 1969-09-19
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1969-09-18
Description
Keith Payne was born at Ingham, Queensland, on 30 August 1933. He attended Ingham State School and afterwards became an apprentice cabinet-maker. During this time he also served with the 31st Australian Infantry Battalion in the Citizens’ Military Force. Seeking greater opportunities, Payne joined the Australian Regular Army in August 1951 and after his basic and initial employment training was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) in December 1951.
Payne was transferred to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) in July 1952 and later that month was sent to Japan as an infantry reinforcement. In September 1952 he was sent to Korea, where he joined his unit. He served with the battalion until they were rotated out of Korea in March 1953, whereupon he was taken on strength of Headquarters, 28th British Commonwealth Brigade. He remained with this formation until the end of the Korean War, and returned to Australia in August 1953.
In December [4] 1954 Payne married Florence Plaw, a member of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps. He was promoted to corporal the following year and spent much of the next five years attending various courses and schools of instruction to further his army career.
In February 1960 Payne was posted to the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), then based at Enoggera in Queensland. He was promoted to sergeant in July 1961 and deployed to Malaysia in August 1963. During an operation on the Malay-Thai border in October 1964, Payne was slightly injured when he fell into a river as he was crossing. He remained on duty and returned to Australia with 3RAR in February 1965.
Later that month Payne was posted to the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. However, the posting was only brief, and in June that year he was appointed as an instructor to the Officer Training Unit at Scheyville, New South Wales.
In February 1967 he joined the 2nd Pacific Islands Regiment in Papua New Guinea. He was promoted to warrant officer class 2 in May that year and returned to Brisbane at the conclusion of his posting in March 1968.
On 24 February 1969 he was appointed to the Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam. In May that year he was commanding the 212th Company of the 1st Mobile Strike Force Battalion when it was attacked by a strong North Vietnamese force. His company was isolated and, surrounded on three sides, Payne's Vietnamese troops began to fall back. Payne, by now wounded in the hands and arms and under heavy fire, covered the withdrawal before organising his troops into a defensive perimeter. He then spent three hours scouring the scene of the day’s fight for isolated and wounded soldiers, all the while evading enemy troops, who kept up harassing fire. He found some 40 wounded men, brought some in himself and organised for the rescue of the others, leading the party back to base through enemy-dominated terrain. Years later, asked whether he was afraid, Payne replied, "My God yes, yes, I was.” Payne’s actions that night earned him the Victoria Cross.
He was evacuated to Brisbane in September suffering from an illness, receiving a warm reception at the Brisbane airport before entering hospital. He had recovered by November, and in January 1970 was posted as an instructor to the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
Payne received his VC from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II aboard the Royal Yacht, Britannia in Brisbane on 13 April 1970. He was made a Freeman of the city and of the shire in which his hometown was located. A park in Stafford, Brisbane, where Payne lived, was also named after him. He received the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star from the United States, and the Republic of Vietnam awarded him the Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star. He retired from the army in 1975, but saw further action as a captain with the Army of the Sultan of Oman during the Dhofar War.
Payne returned to Australia and became active in the veteran community, particularly in counseling sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder. [Keith, and his wife Flo, raised five sons and are now living at Mackay in Queensland.]"
FYI Cynthia Croft Maj Kim Patterson MSgt David Hoffman
Sgt (Join to see)SFC (Join to see)LTC (Join to see)Sgt John H.1sg-dan-capriSGT Robert R.CPT Tommy CurtisSGT (Join to see) SGT Steve McFarlandCol Carl WhickerSGT Mark AndersonSFC Jack ChampionA1C Ian Williamsaa John ZodunCpl James R. " Jim" Gossett JrPVT Kenneth Krause
I am glad to learn he was alive and healthy when he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Happy 86th birthday Keith Payne.
Ep 5 Keith Payne VC
"This is an open and candid conversation with 2 outstanding Australians. Keith Payne VC AM and his wife Florence Payne OAM."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7srdeY78Rk
Images:
1. Keith Payne's Medals - including Victoria Cross at left, Distinguished Service Cross (6th medal from right) and Silver Star (5th medal from right) medals.
Medals left to right:
Victoria Cross
Medal of the Order of Australia ( OAM )
Australian Active Service Medal ( 1945-75 ); 4 clasps:
"Korea" - Malaysia" - "Vietnam" - "Thai-Malay"
Korea Medal ( 1950-53 )
United Nations Korea Medal ( 1950-53 )
General Service Medal ( 1962- ); 1 clasp:
"Malay Peninsula"
Vietnam Medal ( 1965-68 )
Australian Service Medal ( 1945-75 ); 3 clasps:
"Korea" - "SE Asia" - "PNG"
Queen Elizabeth Silver Jubilee Medal ( 1977 )
Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal ( 2002 )
Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal ( 2012 )
Centenary Medal ( 2001 ) ( Australia )
Defence Force Service Medal ( Australia )
National Medal ( 1975 ) ( Australia )
Australia Defence Medal ( Australia )
Meritorious Service Medal ( MSM )
'Commonwealth of Australia' Issue
Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal ( LSGC )
'Australia' suspension:
Distinguished Service Cross ( DSC ) ( US issue )
Silver Star ( USA )
Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star ( Rep of Vietnam )
South Vietnam Campaign Medal ( Rep of Vietnam ); 1 clasp:
'1960'
General Service Medal ( Oman )
As Sumood Medal ( Oman )
Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal ( Malaysia )
2. Wedding of Keith and Florence Payne December 4, 1954.
3. Keith Payne in Vietnam in 1969.jpg
4. CANBERRA, ACT. 1970-04-25. Her Royal Highness, the Princess Anne speaking to Warrant Officer 2 Keith Payne, his wife Florance at right and their children.
1. Background from awm.gov.au/collection/P10676775#biography
Service number 12222
Birth Date 30 August 1933
Birth Place Australia: Queensland, Ingham
Final Rank Warrant Officer Class 2
Service Australian Army
Units
Australian Army
Australian Army Training Team Vietnam
Place Ingham
Conflict/Operation Indonesian Confrontation, 1962-1966
Gazettes Biographical information They dared mightily. in 1963
Published in London Gazette in 1969-09-19
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1969-09-18
Description
Keith Payne was born at Ingham, Queensland, on 30 August 1933. He attended Ingham State School and afterwards became an apprentice cabinet-maker. During this time he also served with the 31st Australian Infantry Battalion in the Citizens’ Military Force. Seeking greater opportunities, Payne joined the Australian Regular Army in August 1951 and after his basic and initial employment training was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) in December 1951.
Payne was transferred to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) in July 1952 and later that month was sent to Japan as an infantry reinforcement. In September 1952 he was sent to Korea, where he joined his unit. He served with the battalion until they were rotated out of Korea in March 1953, whereupon he was taken on strength of Headquarters, 28th British Commonwealth Brigade. He remained with this formation until the end of the Korean War, and returned to Australia in August 1953.
In December [4] 1954 Payne married Florence Plaw, a member of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps. He was promoted to corporal the following year and spent much of the next five years attending various courses and schools of instruction to further his army career.
In February 1960 Payne was posted to the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), then based at Enoggera in Queensland. He was promoted to sergeant in July 1961 and deployed to Malaysia in August 1963. During an operation on the Malay-Thai border in October 1964, Payne was slightly injured when he fell into a river as he was crossing. He remained on duty and returned to Australia with 3RAR in February 1965.
Later that month Payne was posted to the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. However, the posting was only brief, and in June that year he was appointed as an instructor to the Officer Training Unit at Scheyville, New South Wales.
In February 1967 he joined the 2nd Pacific Islands Regiment in Papua New Guinea. He was promoted to warrant officer class 2 in May that year and returned to Brisbane at the conclusion of his posting in March 1968.
On 24 February 1969 he was appointed to the Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam. In May that year he was commanding the 212th Company of the 1st Mobile Strike Force Battalion when it was attacked by a strong North Vietnamese force. His company was isolated and, surrounded on three sides, Payne's Vietnamese troops began to fall back. Payne, by now wounded in the hands and arms and under heavy fire, covered the withdrawal before organising his troops into a defensive perimeter. He then spent three hours scouring the scene of the day’s fight for isolated and wounded soldiers, all the while evading enemy troops, who kept up harassing fire. He found some 40 wounded men, brought some in himself and organised for the rescue of the others, leading the party back to base through enemy-dominated terrain. Years later, asked whether he was afraid, Payne replied, "My God yes, yes, I was.” Payne’s actions that night earned him the Victoria Cross.
He was evacuated to Brisbane in September suffering from an illness, receiving a warm reception at the Brisbane airport before entering hospital. He had recovered by November, and in January 1970 was posted as an instructor to the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
Payne received his VC from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II aboard the Royal Yacht, Britannia in Brisbane on 13 April 1970. He was made a Freeman of the city and of the shire in which his hometown was located. A park in Stafford, Brisbane, where Payne lived, was also named after him. He received the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star from the United States, and the Republic of Vietnam awarded him the Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star. He retired from the army in 1975, but saw further action as a captain with the Army of the Sultan of Oman during the Dhofar War.
Payne returned to Australia and became active in the veteran community, particularly in counseling sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder. [Keith, and his wife Flo, raised five sons and are now living at Mackay in Queensland.]"
FYI Cynthia Croft Maj Kim Patterson MSgt David Hoffman
Sgt (Join to see)SFC (Join to see)LTC (Join to see)Sgt John H.1sg-dan-capriSGT Robert R.CPT Tommy CurtisSGT (Join to see) SGT Steve McFarlandCol Carl WhickerSGT Mark AndersonSFC Jack ChampionA1C Ian Williamsaa John ZodunCpl James R. " Jim" Gossett JrPVT Kenneth Krause
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LTC Stephen F.
FYI SPC Jon O.SP5 Jeannie CarleSPC Chris Bayner-CwikPO1 Jerome Newland SGT Philip Roncari SSG Donald H "Don" Bates PO3 Lynn Spalding Rhonda Hanson SPC Jordan SutichLTC Wayne Brandon LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj Robert Thornton CPT Scott Sharon Sgt Albert CastroSGT Rick Colburn CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
Maj Marty Hogan LTC Stephen F. That's a Lot of Medal. Talk about a One Man Army.
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