AATTV Chinn, George Ernest

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Chinn
  • FORENAME
George Ernest
  • UNIT
AATTV
  • RANK
Warrant Officer First Class
  • NUMBER
3975
  • AWARD
Distinguished Conduct Medal
  • PLACE
South Vietnam
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 28.10.1927, Brunswick, Victoria
wife Jean Margaret Chinn of 19 Crate Crescent, Swanbourne, West Australia
children Laraine, Georgina and Francine
during WW2 attempted to join AIF under age, but was unsuccessful
enlisted 17.05.1948
served Korean War with 3 RAR 25.07.1951 - 20.12.1951
1964-1965 with AATTV (D.C.M, South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, South Vietnamese Armed Forces Honour Medal
31.05.1966 - 14.06.1967 with 6 RAR as Regimental Sergeant Major (Vietnam)
1969 comissioned
1979 became a Major
died 24.09.1981 (Aged 53)
Gungahlin Cemetery, Mitchell, Canberra, ACT, Australia. FE/06/01/12/007
 

CITATION:

Distinguished Conduct Medal : Warrant Officer Class 1 George Ernest CHINN served with both the Australian Military Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. At the conclusion of the war he continued his service as an infantry soldier in the 22nd Battalion and the Royal Australian Regiment. He was an instructor at the Royal Military College, DUNTROON, from 1952 to 1960 when he was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Special Air Service Company, Royal Australian Infantry. In April 1964 Warrant Officer CHINN joined the Australian Army Training Team in VIETNAM and was posted as an advisor at the DONG DA National Training Centre in THUA THIEN Province.

While temporarily detached from the Training Centre he accompanied the 32nd Vietnamese Ranger Battalion during operation LAM SON 115 near LAVANG from 18th to 28th April, 1964.

During the helicopter assault landing, Warrant Officer CHINN landed in the first wave under Viet Cong ground fire which caused several casualties. Realising the effect this fire would have on the second wave of troop loaded helicopters, he assisted in the deployment of sub units and the clearing of the Viet Cong out of range of the landing zone with complete disregard for his own safety and in the face of Viet Cong fire. The second wave were able to land without casualties.

Immediately after the Ranger Force had cleared the Viet Cong training camp they were again attacked by the Viet Cong. Warrant Officer CIIINN personally drew Viet Cong fire, allowing the organisation of a successful reaction force.

WEB LINKS:

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C59424
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/REL:10878.001
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7623642 (DCM)
https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1220655&c=KOREA
https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1228855&c=VIETNAM

FINDAGRAVE:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90250000/george-ernest-chinn
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