Refused To Abandon A Dying Comrade. Pulled The Pins From 2 Grenades & Calmly Awaited The Viet Cong

2015-10-28T09:36:18-04:00

From War History Online:

Kevin Arthur Wheatley, VC (13 March 1937 – 13 November 1965) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Wheatley was one of four Australians to receive the award for actions during the Vietnam War.

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On 28 May, Wheatley was assisting ARVN troops in engaging ‘elements of a trapped enemy battalion.’ In the course of the action, a young girl ran terrified into the cross fire. With little regard for his own safety Wheatley ran after the child. Both were now fully exposed to enemy fire. Seizing her, he used his body as a shield and carried her to safety. This action, though not recognised through an award, was however included in an early draft of his later Victoria Cross (VC) citation.

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While sweeping through rice paddies near the village of Binh Hoa, Wheatley’s platoon came under enemy sniper fire. A CIDG soldier was wounded as gun fire from the direction of the village grew in intensity. Swanton picked up the wounded soldier and began to carry him to the relative safety of the jungle beyond the rice paddies. Wheatley, realising that they faced a superior force, radioed Fazekas for support. Before they could reach refuge, however, Swanton suffered a serious gunshot wound to the abdomen. Wheatley, who had been providing covering fire for Swanton, rushed to the fallen Australian. He radioed for an air strike and a medical evacuation before he began dragging him to cover.

When Wheatley stopped briefly to return fire, CIDG medic, Private Vo Trong Chan, reached Swanton and bandaged his wound. By now the CIDG troops were withdrawing to the safety of the jungle and Trong Chan pleaded with Wheatley to leave the dying Swanton. Wheatley refused and, under heavy machine gun fire, continued to drag Swanton toward cover, around 200 metres away. When Wheatley neared the edge of the wooded area, CIDG Private Dinh Do came to assist him to some heavy undergrowth. Dinh Do, like Trong Chan, pleaded with Wheatley to leave Swanton but he again refused. When the Viet Cong were within 10 metres, Dinh Do turned and fled. As he left he saw Wheatley pulling the pins from his last two grenades, his other ammunition being exhausted.

The following morning Dinh Do led Fazekas to the spot where he had last seen the Australians. They found the bodies of Wheatley and Swanton lying in a thicket. Fazekas wrote in his evidence that they had both been ‘shot through the head several times at close range.’ For his actions in attempting to save his wounded colleague, Wheatley was awarded a posthumous VC. It was the first VC to be awarded to an Australian in this war.

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/refused-to-abandon-a-dying-comrade-pulled-the-pins-from-2-grenades-calmly-awaited-the-viet-cong.html/2

Refused To Abandon A Dying Comrade. Pulled The Pins From 2 Grenades & Calmly Awaited The Viet...

An amazing story of courage, bravery and total sacrifice.  Kevin Arthur Wheatley, VC (13 March 1937 – 13 November 1965) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and mos

Response by TSgt David L. made Oct 28 at 2015 9:37 AM

2015-10-28T09:37:23-04:00

Great Story. When I hear stories like this it is incredible how determined the Heroes in them are. The power of human beings to care for their team mate, battle buddy, friend, stranger or whatever you want to call them is almost beyond words.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 21 at 2017 9:24 PM

2017-11-21T21:24:08-05:00

Did any of you read the article in stars and stripes in regards to a VA study shows parasites from Vietnam may be killing Veterans that served there.

I suggest anyone that served in country there read this.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/parasite-from-vietnam-may-be-killing-vets/

Peace!

Slow-killing parasite from Vietnam may be killing veterans, VA study says

Test results show some men may have been infected while fighting in the jungles of Southeast Asia