- SURNAME
Clark
- FORENAME
Brian Donald
- UNIT
Royal Australian Infantry Corps
- RANK
Warrant Officer Second Class
- NUMBER
16181
- AWARD
Military Medal
- PLACE
South Vietnam
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 06.10.1934, Millmerran, Queensland, Australia
served Korea 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 31.03.1954 - 02.09.1954
then 09.10.1954 - 11.10.1954
then 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 12.10.1954 - 09.11.1954
AATTV 18.09.1966 - 13.09.1967
CITATION:
Military Medal : 16181 Sergeant (Temporary Warrant Officer Class II) Brian Donald CLARK, Royal Australian Infantry Corps.
Warrant Officer Brian Donald Clark, Royal Australian Infantry, enlisted in the Australian Regular Army on 13th June 1961 and since that date he has served with 3rd and 7th Battalions, Royal Australian Regiment.
In 1964 and 1965, he was engaged on operational duties in Borneo, Malaysia. Warrant Officer Clark volunteered for service in Vietnam and, on 19th September 1966, joined the Australian Army Training Team. He was posted as an adviser to 3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam.
On 14th December 1966, the 3rd Battalion was occupying an outpost position in the vicinity of Tam Ky, in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam, Warrant Officer Clark together with two United States Army Advisers occupied a bunker within the outpost.
At 0100 hours, the outpost was attacked by a Viet Cong force approximately 100 strong, who successfully penetrated the position. Using grenades and explosive charges the Viet Cong disrupted the main defensive position, including destruction of the adviser's and the Vietnamese Battalion Commander's bunkers. They directly threatened the two 105 mm howitzers in situ. They were repulsed only after approximately three hours fighting and after friendly artillery had been called onto the position.
Warrant Officer Clark personally engaged a number of Viet Cong with his rifle and personally protected one of the 105 howitzers with his fire, saving it from being blown up, despite counter enemy action by grenades and small arms fire. Throughout the defensive artillery fire on the outpost, he maintained his position in the open and continued to engage the enemy. Later he found and assisted the seriously wounded battalion senior adviser. He returned to his then burning bunker to gain materials to make the patient comfortable. He retrieved a wireless set and box of grenades from the burning bunker, not withstanding the obvious danger to his person. The only adviser remaining in fit condition, Warrant Officer Clark then proceeded to help the Battalion the commander reorganise the position and mop up, whilst secondary explosions from stacked ammunition on the position occurred intermittently. At 0630 hours Warrant Officer Clark worked at clearing a helicopter landing zone on the artillery position involving movement of heated suspect grenades and 105 artillery ammunition, so that casualties could be evacuated quickly. In doing so he saved the lives of a number of badly wounded soldiers who may otherwise have died. In the action, 55 Viet Cong were killed whilst 78 Vietnamese were killed and wounded and two U.S. Advisors wounded.
Throughout the action Warrant Officer Clark exhibited a calm and deliberate manner, continued correctly to evaluate the situation and personally thwarted the enemy in their endeavours, especially against one artillery piece which he doubtless saved from destruction. His actions contributed positively to the defence of the position, to the repulse of the enemy and to saving friendly lives. His personal bravery was sustained in the face of a resolute enemy and extreme danger from exploding shells, and grenades over a four to five hour period. His personal bravery, professionalism and devotion to duty in this action were outstanding and were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service reflecting great credit on himself, the Advisory effort and the Australian Regular Army.
Warrant Officer Brian Donald Clark, Royal Australian Infantry, enlisted in the Australian Regular Army on 13th June 1961 and since that date he has served with 3rd and 7th Battalions, Royal Australian Regiment.
In 1964 and 1965, he was engaged on operational duties in Borneo, Malaysia. Warrant Officer Clark volunteered for service in Vietnam and, on 19th September 1966, joined the Australian Army Training Team. He was posted as an adviser to 3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam.
On 14th December 1966, the 3rd Battalion was occupying an outpost position in the vicinity of Tam Ky, in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam, Warrant Officer Clark together with two United States Army Advisers occupied a bunker within the outpost.
At 0100 hours, the outpost was attacked by a Viet Cong force approximately 100 strong, who successfully penetrated the position. Using grenades and explosive charges the Viet Cong disrupted the main defensive position, including destruction of the adviser's and the Vietnamese Battalion Commander's bunkers. They directly threatened the two 105 mm howitzers in situ. They were repulsed only after approximately three hours fighting and after friendly artillery had been called onto the position.
Warrant Officer Clark personally engaged a number of Viet Cong with his rifle and personally protected one of the 105 howitzers with his fire, saving it from being blown up, despite counter enemy action by grenades and small arms fire. Throughout the defensive artillery fire on the outpost, he maintained his position in the open and continued to engage the enemy. Later he found and assisted the seriously wounded battalion senior adviser. He returned to his then burning bunker to gain materials to make the patient comfortable. He retrieved a wireless set and box of grenades from the burning bunker, not withstanding the obvious danger to his person. The only adviser remaining in fit condition, Warrant Officer Clark then proceeded to help the Battalion the commander reorganise the position and mop up, whilst secondary explosions from stacked ammunition on the position occurred intermittently. At 0630 hours Warrant Officer Clark worked at clearing a helicopter landing zone on the artillery position involving movement of heated suspect grenades and 105 artillery ammunition, so that casualties could be evacuated quickly. In doing so he saved the lives of a number of badly wounded soldiers who may otherwise have died. In the action, 55 Viet Cong were killed whilst 78 Vietnamese were killed and wounded and two U.S. Advisors wounded.
Throughout the action Warrant Officer Clark exhibited a calm and deliberate manner, continued correctly to evaluate the situation and personally thwarted the enemy in their endeavours, especially against one artillery piece which he doubtless saved from destruction. His actions contributed positively to the defence of the position, to the repulse of the enemy and to saving friendly lives. His personal bravery was sustained in the face of a resolute enemy and extreme danger from exploding shells, and grenades over a four to five hour period. His personal bravery, professionalism and devotion to duty in this action were outstanding and were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service reflecting great credit on himself, the Advisory effort and the Australian Regular Army.
WEB LINKS:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7623702 (MM)https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/44376/supplement/8433/
https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1281921&c=VIETNAM
https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1220309&c=KOREA
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