FOR PRESS: P. M. No. 70/ 1969
AWARD OF VICTORIA CROSS FOR GALLANTRY
IN VIETNAM
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
Her Majesty The Queen has awarded the Victoria Cross to
a member of the Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam, Warrant
Officer Class 2 Rayene Stewart Simpson, D. C. M.
Warrant Officer Simpson displayed outstanding heroism on
two separate occasions during an operation with a mobile strike force in
Kontum Province in May this year.
A veteran of the Second World War, Korea, and the
Malayan Emergency, Warrant Officer Simpson came originally from
Chippendale in New South Wales. He is still serving with the Training
Team in Vietnam. Warrant Officer Simpson's repeated acts of personal bravery
in last May's operation were an inspiration to all Vietnamese, United
States and Australian soldiers who served with him. His conspicuous
gallantry was in the highest tradition of the Australian Army.
I have sent Warrant Officer Simpson the following message:-
" On behalf of the Commonwealth Government, my
colleagues and I offer you our most sincere
congratulations on the award of the Victoria Cross
bestowed on you by Her Majesty The Queen.
Australia is proud of you. Your exceptional
valour and leadership while serving as an adviser
of the Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam
must be an inspiration to all Australians."
CANBERRA 2 1August 1969
Note: Attached:-Details of Warrant Officer Simpsont s actions.
Personal background on Warrant Officer Simpson.
BACKGROUND TO V. C. AWARD
Details of Action: On 6 May 1969 Warrant Off icer Simpson was serving as a
company commander in a Mobile Strike Force Battalion on a search and
clear operation in Kontum Province. When one of his platoons became
heavily engaged with the enemy, he led the remainder of his company to
its assistance. The enemy who were equipped with automatic weapons and
grenades were in strong defensive positions and well protected by the
covering fire of other troops dispersed about their positions. Disregarding
the dangers involved, he placed himself at the front of his troops, thus
becoming a focal point of enemy fire, and personally led the assault on the
left flank of the enemy position.
As the company moved forward, an Australian warrant
officer commanding one of the platoons was seriously wounded and the
attack began to falter. Warrant Off icer Simpson, at great personal risk
and under heavy fire, rushed across open ground to the wounded warrant
officer and carried him to a position of safety. He then returned to his
company where, with complete disregard for his safety, he crawled forward
to within ten metres of the enemy and threw grenades into their positions.
As darkness fell, Warrant Officer Simpson realised he
could not break into the enemy position. He ordered his company to
withdraw and threw smoke grenades as a protective cover. Then, carrying
a wounded platoon leader and with the assistance of five Vietnamese soldiers,
he covered the withdrawal of his company.
Mr. Gorton said his leadership and personal bravery
throughout this action were outstanding.
On 11 May in the same operation, Warrant Officer Simpson'sa
Battalion Commander was killed and an Australian warrant officer and
several Vietnamese soldiers were wounded. In addition, one other Australian
warrant off icer who had been separated from most of his troops had been
pinned down by enemy fire. Warrant Off icer Simpson quickly organised two
platoons of Vietnamese soldiers and several advisers and led them to the
position of the contact. On reaching the position, the element with Warrant Off icer
Simpson came under heavy fire and all but a few of the soldiers with him
fell back. Disregarding his own safety, he moved forward in the face of
accurate enemy machine gun fire in order to cover the initial evacuation
of the casualties. The wounded were eventually moved out of the line of
fire, most of which was being directed at Warrant Officer Simpson from
close range. In the words of one American eye-witness, " The whole area
was sprayed. Warrant Off icet Simpson's area caught the full blast and the
tree he was beside was ripPed apart. His leadership and encouragement
motivated myself and others so the wounded were pulled out safely." / 2
2-
At what appeared to be the risk of almost certain death he
made several attempts to move forward to recover his Battalion'
Commander's body, but on each occasion was stopped by heavy accurate
fire. Realising the position was becoming untenable and that priority
should be given to extricating all casualties as quickly as possible,
Warrant Officer Simpson alone and still under enemy fire, covered the
withdrawal of the wounded by keeping himself between them and the enemy.
He fought on and by his outstanding courage prevented the enemy advancing
until the wounded were removed from the immediate vicinity.
The Prime Minister said Warrant Officer Simpson's gallant
and individual action and his coolness under prolonged fire were exceptional
and were instrumental in achieving the successful evacuation of the wounded
to a helicopter evacuation pad.
Personal Background: Rayene Stewart Simpson was born at Chippendale, New
South Wales on 16 February 1926. He enlisted in the AIF on 15 March 1944
and served overseas in Morotai, Tarakan, and Rabaul. He was discharged
on 9 January 1947 and subsequently re-enlisted on 17 January 1951.
During his second enlistment, Warrant Officer Simpson
served in Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam. During his second tour with the
Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam he was wounded in action in
October 1964 and was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Conduct
Medal for bravery. Warrant Officer Simpson was discharged on 16 May 1966
but again re-enlisted on 2 May 1967 and has served continuously with the
Training Team in Vietnam since that date.
His Decorations and Medals are: Victoria Cross,
Distinguished Conduct Medal, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-45, Australia
Service Medal 1939-45, K~ orea Medal, United Nations Service Medal ( Korea),
General Service Medal with Malaya Clasp, Vietnam Medal, and Vietnamese
Campaign Medal. Warrant Officer Simpson is married and his wife resides at
5-30-1 Chome Yayoicho-Nakano-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
V. C. Warrant Officer Simpson's award is the 95th Victoria Cross
awarded to an Australian and is the third since World War IL / 3
-3-
The last two awards were made to the late Warrant Officer
Kevin Arthur Wheatley for action in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam
on 13 November 1965 and to the late Major Peter John Badcoe for his
actions between February and April 1967 in South Vietnam.