I enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in December 1967 as an Airfield Defence Guard and was posted to Viet Nam in June 1969, originally with No 1 Operational Support Unit at Vung Tau where I was mainly tasked with airfield security, perimeter patrols and perimeter maintenance. Included in this period was an attachment to No 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit with the Australian Army in Nui Dat. In August 1969 I applied for and was accepted as a helicopter gunner with No. 9 Squadron RAAF based out of Vung Tau and working out of Nui Dat. In the succeeding 10 months, until repatriation in June 1970, I few a total of 650 hours on “Slicks” and “Gunships”.
During my 20+ years service, I was stationed on many Australian bases including Richmond, Edinburgh, Hobart, Laverton, Point Cook, Amberley, and Support Command in Melbourne, also serving for 3 years in Butterworth, Malaysia from 1973 to 1976. I remained in the RAAF until January 1988 but am now retired through ill health.
Since creating the IWVPA website in January 2001, its development and maintenance has been my means of remaining an active participant in society. On Australia Day, January 26, 2006, fellow Australians honoured me with the Medal of the Order of Australia “for service to veterans through the International War Veterans Poetry Archives”
- Last seen on Feb 1 12:46 PM. Member since September 14, 2008.
- I'm a dusted garnet poet for 1 comments.
- My mood is , and quote is ""If it is to be, it is up to me!"".
- I am a 58 year old man (Australia)
- When I'm not writing, I'm Retired.
- Visit my homepage at iwvpa.net/
- I have 1 comment, 5 poems
My Poetry
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There is a memorial, just a brown stone,
with a bronze plaque inscribed, -
Abrupt and unplanned reflection on the experiences, realities, and consequences of the Vietnam War41 lines, 3 comments, September 15, 2008. In War, Depression, Anger, Loss, Humanity, Lost in thought, My life
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YoursTrulyJulie : Welcome to AP on September 15, 2008
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misshugglebugglez on September 14, 2008Yay! a newbie! welcome to allpoetry! i can't wait to see what wonderful poetic talent you possess! i'll probably drop in soon to see if you've added anything... well bye byez for now! i hope you enjoy your time on AP! =)
-Peanut Butter Fudge
