Orders, Decorations and Medals

A scarce Vietnam War D.F.C. group of three to Squadron Leader Thomas Ward, a Helicopter Pilot with No. 9 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, awarded for one of the first ‘hot extractions’ of an S.A.S. patrol in Vietnam

Distinguished Flying Cross, E.II.R., the reverse officially dated 1969; Vietnam Service Medal 1964 (014288 Ward T.); South Vietnam Campaign Star, named as before, mounted as worn, good very fine and scarce (3) £3500-4000

D.F.C. Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 16 October 1969: ‘In recognition of his courage and devotion to duty while senior Flight Commander with No. 9 Squadron during operational service in Vietnam.’ The following citation accompanied the award:

‘Squadron Leader Ward was a senior Flight Commander with No. 9 Squadron for the major part of his operational tour of duty in the Republic of South Vietnam. Squadron Leader Ward was responsible for leading numerous successful insertions and extractions of long range reconnaissance patrols. On the nightof 9 June 1968 Squadron Leader Ward extracted a patrol that could not break contact with the enemy. Although his aircraft was exposed to enemy fire during the time that he was hovering to hoist the patrol on board he completed the extraction without incident. There were many other occasions on which Squadron Leader Ward reacted quickly to avert dangerous situations with complete disregard for his own safety. The courage and devotion to duty displayed by Squadron Leader Ward on these occasions has been of the highest order and have set an outstanding example to less experienced members of the Squadron.’

No. 9 Squadron was involved almost continually in supporting Army units in Vietnam, one of the most important tasks being the insertion and extraction of Special Air Service patrols on long range reconnaissance missions, with other more mundane every day operations including resupply missions and life saving medivac operations - the extraction of wounded. It is believed that the patrol extracted by Squadron Leader Thomas on the 9th of June was the six man Special Air Service patrol led by Lieutenant G. L. Simpson, 2nd S.A.S. Squadron, who was awarded the Military Cross.

Another instance of Squadron Leader Ward’s courage occurred on 31 October 1968 when he landed his helicopter beside a crashed United States gunship and rescued its crew. The gunship had moved in to strafe enemy trucks which had been sighted and as it approached it was fired on and went out of control, crashing to the ground. Squadron Leader Ward with his co-pilot F/O Ken Wells, RNZAF and crewmen LAC Geoff Clark and AC Neale Marxsen, went down immediately to lend assistance. ‘There was just enough room to land beside the aircraft’ Squadron Leader Ward said. ‘None of the crew members were seriously hurt, although the aircraft itself appeared to be a write-off. The downed crew moved quickly into our aircraft and we got off the ground as quickly as possible. It was no place to be sticking around.’

78 D.F.C.’s and 3 Bars were awarded for Vietnam, including 60 to the Royal Australian Air Force. Sold with some further details.