Vietnam War Veteran Awarded Medal for Gallantry

Garry Chad, an 84-year-old Gold Coast man, was awarded the Medal for Gallantry in a ceremony at Currumbin RSL. The medal was presented by Queensland Governor Jeannette Young. The Medal for Gallantry is Australia's third-highest military honor, ranking after the Victoria Cross and the Order of Australia. Since its introduction in 1991, the medal has been awarded to 70 other Australian Defence Force personnel.

Background of Service

Garry Chad served in the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1975 as part of the Royal Australian Regiment's 4th Battalion, reaching the final rank of sergeant.

On July 29, 1971, in Vietnam's Long Khahn Province, Chad's platoon encountered a fortified bunker system of a large enemy force.

According to the Australian Honours Registry, Chad advanced under heavy enemy fire, threw grenades that eliminated most enemy combatants, and was wounded in the process. Despite his injuries, Chad continued firing with what the registry described as "accuracy and lethality," allowing his platoon to withdraw with light casualties. Chad was the last member of his platoon to retreat.

"It's the closest thing I've ever had … when you're in battle, you're so close, you look after each other."

Ceremony and Recognition

At the presentation, Queensland Governor Jeannette Young stated that Chad's actions reflected what she called "the very best of the Australian Army." She added that Australian soldiers are guided by values of service, courage, respect, integrity and excellence, which she said are often lived in testing circumstances.

Currumbin RSL president Michael Humphreys noted that the award resulted from years of work by dedicated individuals to have Chad's honor upgraded from what he described as "only good enough for a mention in dispatches."

Humphreys described Chad as "very humble" and said Vietnam War veterans are an important part of the RSL's legacy.

Context of the Vietnam War

• Approximately 60,000 Australian Defence Force personnel served in Vietnam during the war.
• More than 521 Australian personnel lost their lives in the Vietnam War.