- SURNAME
Beale
- FORENAME
Patrick Wald
- UNIT
Royal Australian Infantry Corps
- RANK
Captain and T/Major
- NUMBER
42042
- AWARD
Distinguished Service Order, Silver Star(US)
- PLACE
South Vietnam 1970
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 8.8.1939
father Octaveous Cyril Beale of 3 Mariner Toe, Linden Park, South Australia
enlisted ARA 09.01.1958
award MC 1965 Borneo with Staff Corps
joined from Royal Australian Regiment
AATTV 14.1.1970-14.1.1971
CITATION:
Military Cross : Acting upon unconfirmed intelligence, Lieutenant P.W. BEALE led his platoon through difficult and poorly mapped country to ambush a likely enemy supply route in the BAU District, SARAWAK.
On 26th May, 1965, leaving the remainder of his patrol in a defensive area, he led a small reconnaissance party of three men to establish the legation of the ambush. During this reconnaissance, which lasted for six hours, he had to avoid enemy parties heard in the area and thereby was prevented from setting the ambush that day.
Together with twelve members of his platoon, Lieutenant BEALE entered the same area on the 27th May and successfully laid out the ambush, undaunted by the presence of the enemy in the area.
Shortly afterwards, he ordered the ambush to open fire on a large enemy party approaching the area, killing at least fifteen of the party. Having achieved his mission, Lieutenant BEALE cooly ordered the withdrawal of the ambush party, no withstanding the heavy volume of enemy small arms fire which was being directed at it, without loss.
By his personal bravery, inspiring leadership, judgement and skill, Lieutenant BEALE caused the enemy to be dealt a severe reverse and earned for him the highest respect of his platoon.
Place : Bau, Sarawak
Date of Action : 8 Jun 65
On 26th May, 1965, leaving the remainder of his patrol in a defensive area, he led a small reconnaissance party of three men to establish the legation of the ambush. During this reconnaissance, which lasted for six hours, he had to avoid enemy parties heard in the area and thereby was prevented from setting the ambush that day.
Together with twelve members of his platoon, Lieutenant BEALE entered the same area on the 27th May and successfully laid out the ambush, undaunted by the presence of the enemy in the area.
Shortly afterwards, he ordered the ambush to open fire on a large enemy party approaching the area, killing at least fifteen of the party. Having achieved his mission, Lieutenant BEALE cooly ordered the withdrawal of the ambush party, no withstanding the heavy volume of enemy small arms fire which was being directed at it, without loss.
By his personal bravery, inspiring leadership, judgement and skill, Lieutenant BEALE caused the enemy to be dealt a severe reverse and earned for him the highest respect of his platoon.
Place : Bau, Sarawak
Date of Action : 8 Jun 65
WEB LINKS:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7623523 (MC)https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1255938&c=VIETNAM
https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/797182
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C61941
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/45188/page/9893/data.pdf
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