RIP Pepe Prendergast.

Unit Citation for Gallantry

---

UNIT CITATION FOR GALLANTRY

On 12th May 1968, the 1st Australian Task Force (Forward) (1 ATF (Fwd)) deployed into Area of Operations (AO) SURFERS on the border of the Dinh Duong/Bien Hoa Provinces of South Vietnam. Their task was to establish two Fire Support Patrol Bases (FSPB) from which to mount patrols to interdict enemy infiltration and supply routes between War Zone D and Saigon. Intelligence had informed the Task Force that at least five enemy regiments were known to be operating in vicinity of AO SURFERS and preparing to mount attacks against Saigon and the United States military base at Bien Hoa. It was believed that the forces the Australians would operate against were disorganised and withdrawing from Saigon after protracted combat in the Saigon area.
FSPB Coral was occupied late on 12 May by the headquarters and guns from the 12thField Regiment, mortars and anti-tank crews from the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR), and personnel deployed to set up the Task Force headquarters. Unknown to the commanders, the area chosen for the insertion was the forward staging area of two regiments from the 7th Division of the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) which was preparing to advance on Saigon. The Australians had only enough time to prepare basic fighting positions when the PAVN forces launched human wave attacks against the hastily-prepared defences.
At around 1.45am on the morning of 13 May, the enemy launched their first attack with rocket propelled grenades and heavy, accurate mortar fire, followed by a ground assault against the 1 RAR mortar position. With support from the guns of 102 Battery of 12th Field Regiment firing over open sights, the mortar crews held their ground, but elsewhere enemy forces penetrated the position and threatened to capture the guns. In the darkness, gun crews, men from the divisional locating battery and anti-tank platoon, and headquarters personnel on their own initiative mounted repeated counter-attacks to clear the enemy from the position. With the arrival of United States helicopters and ‘Spooky’ gunships, the defences were held and shortly after first light the enemy withdrew.
The next day the defences were strengthened by troops from 1 RAR and Armoured Personnel Carriers of A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment. The arrival of the United States’ M109 self-propelled artillery from Battery A of the 2nd/25th Artillery Regiment and the M42A1 ‘Duster’ tracked anti-aircraft vehicles from 5th/2nd Air Defence Battery, gave the defenders much needed additional firepower. Engineers from the 1st Field Squadron worked around the clock to harden the defensive position and help establish a Task Force Maintenance Area to provide continuous logistical support to the deployed Task Force.
Over the next two weeks further attacks were mounted against the FSPB, but the arrival of Centurion tanks from C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment and direct support from helicopters from 9th Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force and 161 Reconnaissance Flight, added to the defenders ability to repulse repeated regimental size assaults.
FSPB Coogee had been initially established by 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), with tanks from C Squadron, however the greater threat identified in the north of AO SURFERS saw them redeployed to occupy FSPB Balmoral on 24 May. Two days later FSPB Balmoral was attacked by a suspected regimental sized enemy force. This attack was defeated by the combined firepower of the tanks and infantry fighting from well prepared positions. A further attack mounted on 28 May was also defeated by supporting fire from the tanks, infantry and accurate mortar fire.

UNIT CITATION FOR GALLANTRY
For two more weeks the Australian forces, supported by United States and New Zealand artillery, continuously mounted fighting patrols against the enemy entrenched in bunker systems within AO SURFERS. Operating out of FSPBs Coral and Balmoral, the Australians aggressively sought out and defeated well prepared, highly motivated and well supplied enemy forces in fierce, close-quarter fighting. The aggression shown by the Australian forces and the combat support troops deployed forward working long hours over a long period and under arduous conditions, supported by United States’ and New Zealand air assets and artillery, significantly contributed to the failure of the North Vietnamese forces to mount coordinated attacks against Saigon and Bien Hoa.
With limited experience at fighting high intensity combined armour/infantry engagements, the Australians demonstrated extraordinary gallantry in the defence of FSPBs Coral and Balmoral. The exceptional leadership and soldiering skills of all members of 1 ATF (Fwd) and their sustained outstanding performance in the face of overwhelming odds during the largest and most hazardous battle of the Vietnam War were in the finest tradition of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Forces.

Application details for Unit Citation for Gallantry

1.    Applying for your UCG insignia/patch.

Defence Honours and Awards website has an online application form which is the easiest way to apply for the award 

http://www.defence.gov.au/Medals/Content/Applications.asp

The application form file is too large to attach.

It is available by calling 1800 333 362

Mailing address is:

Directorate of Honours and Awards
CP2-1, Department of Defence
PO Box 7952
CANBERRA BC ACT 2610

Website: http://www.defence.gov.au/Medals/

In filling out the form Section E:  Leave  PMsKey blank and only enter your service number.

Section G: Write in   Unit Citation for Gallantry, Battle of Coral Balmoral

Note that the online form is ‘page progressive’ meaning that you can’t get to the next page without filling in the required details on the current page. I have not been through it so I don’t know if you are able to write into Section G.  If this is the case then please resort to the written application form.

 Page 6 is a Guidance Page and lists those eligible to apply.

UNIT CITATION for Gallantry

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! WE WON
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation 1: To recognise all participants in the battles, the Tribunal recommends
that the 1st Australian Task Force (Forward) be awarded the Unit Citation for Gallantry for
extraordinary gallantry in action at the Battles of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral,
between 12 May 1968 and 6 June 1968.
Recommendation 2: The Tribunal recommends that no minimum period of service with the
1st Australian Task Force (Forward) in AO SURFERS between the dates 12 May 1968 and 6
June 1968 be imposed as eligibility criteria for individual entitlement to wear this award.
Recommendation 3: To capture the legacy of the gallantry displayed by participants in the
battles, the Tribunal recommends that the following Australian units substantively deployed
to AO SURFERS between 12 May 1968 and 6 June 1968 be awarded the Unit Citation for
Gallantry for extraordinary gallantry in action at the Battles of Fire Support Bases Coral and
Balmoral:
• 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
• 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
• A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment
• C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment
• 12th Field Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery
• 1st Field Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers

CORAL REUNION NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2018

1^st Battalion Battle Group Reunion: Newsletter Jan 18

F.S.B. Coral Vietnam 50^th Anniversary

Commemorations of the 50^th anniversary of Coral will be held in Canberra and Townsville. 

In the previous Warning Order we asked you indicate your intention to attend activities. We now require you to register and pay. (Wherever this newsletter refers to CORAL VETERAN or just veteran, it not only means those who were at Coral, but all 1 RAR 2^nd tour 1968-69 personnel.)

CANBERRA

This commemoration event will be conducted by DVA in Canberra on Sunday, 13 May 2018. It will commence at 10.30 am with a Commemorative Service at the National Vietnam Memorial on Anzac Parade. There is no restriction on the number of people that can attend and will include members of all units that were involved in the battles of Coral and Balmoral and the general public. Next of Kin (NOK) of those killed at Coral/Balmoral will be formally invited to attend by DVA.

The Service will be followed by a Lunch provided by DVA at the Canberra Convention Centre. Numbers for the lunch are restricted to veterans of Coral/Balmoral and one guest. This also includes the NOK and Widows/Partner of deceased Coral/Balmoral veterans.  

Later that afternoon the Australian War Memorial (AWM) will conduct a special Last Post ceremony dedicated to Coral, commencing at approximately 4.50 pm.

Organizing Committee

Mike Bindley, Tony Jensen and Ray Curtis.

TOWNSVILLE

Program of Townsville events:

Tuesday 15 May

Afternoon 

• Coral veterans arrive and settle into accommodation under own arrangements 

Evening 

• Townsville Mayoral Reception for Coral Veterans 
• Timing: 1730h to 1930h 
• Location: Jezzine Museum, The Strand 
• Invited: All Coral veterans with partner, plus Widows / Partners of deceased Coral Veterans, as guests of honour (Limit 2 persons). CO 1RAR and others at invitation of Mayor of Townsville 
• Dress: Coat/Jacket and medals 
• Transport: See transport plan attached 

Wednesday 16 May 

Morning 

• Changing of the Colours and Coral Commemoration Parade 
• Timing: 0900h to 1130h 
• Location: 1RAR Parade Ground, Coral Lines, Lavarack Barracks
• Invited:  All Coral veterans, partners and families (special seating enclosure). Past and present members of 1RAR and the public 
• Dress: Coat/Jacket and medals 
• Transport: See transport plan attached
• Principal Guest: Governor General

Evening 

• Coral 50 Commemoration Regimental Dinner 
• Timing: 1800h for 1830h to 2200h 
• Location: Likely to be on 2RAR Parade Ground due to set up requirements and clash with use of 1RAR Parade Ground for Colours Parade in the morning 
• Invited: All Coral Veterans (without partners due to limited seating), VIPs and selected past and present members of 1RAR.
• Concept: Buffet dinner under marquee with 1RAR Band. Ceremonial ‘march-in’ of Coral veterans. Coral veterans seated prominently. Each Coral veteran paired with a digger from 1RAR as a host. Fireworks display during the evening.  
• Dress: Coat/Jacket and medals 
• Cost: $40. (To be paid with registration either on the 1 RAR Assn website or with the rego form attached.)
• Transport: See transport plan attached

  

Thursday 17 May

Morning 

• Memorial Service
• Timing: 0900h (Step-off) 
• Location: Cenotaph on The Strand, after 500m march from Fryer Street roundabout on The Strand to ANZAC Park 
• Invited: All Coral Veterans and families, former 1 RAR veterans of other conflicts and Contingent from 1RAR 
• Dress: Coat/Jacket and medals 
• Concept: All-of-1RAR memorial service with Coral veterans marching under Coral banner at the front, then the remainder of the veterans under their Association banner, with two contingents of 1RAR soldiers one between each of these two contingents; and the 1RAR Band. Groups of contingents with a contingent banner can assemble separately at the Cenotaph.  
• Transport: See transport plan attached  

Evening 

• Coral Reunion Group Memorial Service and Dinner
• Location: Townsville RSL Club.
• Concept: The evening will follow the format of the function conducted in Hobart last year.
• Invited: All Veterans and their guests.
• Timings: Meet at 1730h.  Seated by 1755h.  Commence Memorial Service 1800h. Dinner 1900h.
• Cost: $85 per head or $165 per couple.
• Transport: See transport plan attached

Friday 18^th May 

Morning 

• 1RAR Open Day 
• Location: Coral Lines 
• Timing: 1000h commence, BBQ at 1300, Dispersed by 1500h 
• Invited: All Coral Veterans, partners and families. All other ex-1RAR members, their partners and families 
• Dress: Casual 
• Transport: See transport plan attached

Evening 

• Disperse under own arrangements

Organizing Committee

Rod McLeod, John Salter, Jack Parr, Bryan Smith, Tony Scott and Ray Curtis.

REGISTRATION

Attached are separate registration forms for Canberra Commemoration (Sunday 13 May), our Coral Reunion dinner (Thursday night), 1 RAR Regimental Dinner (Wednesday night) and other activities at Lavarack Barracks.

Registration for all functions/activities in Townsville, is required by 24 March 2018.

If you have already registered and paid for the Regimental Dinner through the 1 RAR Assn website do not register again through this means, but please advise us of that action.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE ATTACHED FORMS AND RETURN BY 24 MAR 18 TO 

Ray Curtis

7/9 Coral Drive

Jerrabomberra NSW 2619

Email: rosandray4@bigpond,com

PAYMENT

The cost for the Reunion Dinner is $85 a Single and $165 a Couple. This cost is the same as last year.

The cost to veterans attending the Regimental Dinner is $40.

Payment can be made by Cheque or Aus Post Money Order made out to Coral Reunion, 

or by direct transfer to

St George Bank 

Account Name:  Coral Reunion

BSB 112-908

Account No. 002103134

50th Anniversary Coral and Balmoral CANBERRA 

If you have already indicated your attendance, there is no need to return this form.

Commemorative Service and Luncheon Canberra ACT -    13th  May 2018   

Name __________________________                     Guest’s Name __________________________

Phone  Number _______________________             Email ________________________________

    

Address _____________________________________________

              _____________________________________________

              _____________________________________________

I / we will be attending the Canberra Commemorative Service  YES   NO

I / we will attend the Canberra Luncheon YES   NO

Please complete all details so we can check our records to ensure your contact details are current.

 50^th Anniversary Activities TOWNSVILLE

Name: ____________________________________  

Phone: ______________________________                      Email: ___________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Partner’s Names: _______________________________________________________________

Other Guest’s Name/s: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I / we will be attending the Mayoral Reception Tue 15 May 18   YES  /  NO

I / we will be attending the Parade Wed morning 16 May 18 YES  /  NO

Veteran  attending the 1 RAR Coral Veteran’s dinner evening Wed 16 May 18       YES /  NO

I have already registered on the 1 RAR Assn website and paid YES /  NO

(Payment of $40)

I / we be attending the Memorial Service at the Cenotaph Thu morning 17 May YES  /  NO

I / we be attending the Coral Reunion Group Dinner Thu evening 17 May 18 YES  /  NO

I /we will be attending the 1 RAR Open Day Fri 18 May 18 YES  /  NO

I /we will be accommodated __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I / We will you be making use of the buses provide to attend functions? YES / NO

Access to Lavarack Barracks requires some form of photo ID for each person.

What will you use (i.e. Driver Licence) 

Veteran _______________________ Official  Number on ID_____________ State Issued________

Partner/Guest__________________  Official Number on ID______________ State Issued________

Guest_________________________ Official Number on ID______________ State Issued________

Guest_________________________ Official Number on ID______________ State Issued________

Guest_________________________ Official Number on ID______________ State Issued________ Guest_________________________ Official Number on ID______________ State Issued________

If you intend driving your own vehicle to Lavarack Barracks what is the

Make_________________Model______________Colour_____________Rego No______________

Transport Plan

Bus Stops:

Stop 1-  Rock pool the Strand (*Jezzine Barracks for Serials 1 and 2.)

Stop 2-  Watermark the Strand

Stop 3-  Cenotaph ANZAC Park (# Fryer St for Serial 7)

Stop 4-  The Ville (for Somalia Reunion only)

Stop 5-  Corner Palmer St and Onoonba Rd

Stop 6-  Townsville RSL

Stop 7-  Bowen Road (TBA)

Stop 8-  Coral Lines Lavarack Barracks

Concept:

Serial 1. All buses proceed to stop 7 and move via Bowen Rd and Charters Towers Rd stopping at stop 6 then move to stop 5 via Boundary St.

Then move via Flinders St West to stop 3 and stop 2 and then to Jezzine Barracks.

Serial 2. The reverse.

Serial 3. All buses move to stop 1 then via all stop 3 to stop 8.

Serial 4. The reverse.

Serial 5. As for serials 3 and 4.

Serial 6. As for serials 3 and 4.

Serial 7. The required number of buses to move to stop 1 and stop 7 respectively, then via all stop to stop 3. 

Serial 8. All buses move to stop 3 then move to stop 1 and stop 7 respectively.