Hon Ron Mark
Minister for Veterans
19 February 2019 Media Statement
Australian Unit Citation for 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery gallantry in Vietnam
The Government has agreed that Royal New Zealand Artillery personnel who served in the Vietnam War will be awarded the
Australian Unit Citation for Gallantry.
The award affects around 120 members of 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery, who participated in the Battles of
Coral and Balmoral in Vietnam between 12 May and 6 June 1968, as well as other New Zealand Armed Forces personnel
directly involved in one or both battles.
“The Battles of Coral and Balmoral were among the largest and most protracted fought by the Australian Task Force in the
Vietnam War. The 161 Battery gunners received high praise for the accuracy and volume of fire support they provided at
critical stages of attacks on the Australian battalion positions,” says Ron Mark.
“The Australian Government last year awarded the Australian Unit Citation for Gallantry in recognition of the
‘extraordinary gallantry’ the Australian units provided during the battles at Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral
between 12 May and 6 June 1968. The award was also offered by the Australian Government to 161 Battery Royal New Zealand
Artillery.
“The Australian Unit Citation for Gallantry is awarded to a unit for ‘extraordinary gallantry’ as a team in warlike
operations. It is not awarded for acts of gallantry performed by an individual or by small groups of personnel.
“A formal presentation by representatives of the Australian Government of this award is being planned at Linton Military
Camp in March 2019,” says Ron Mark.
Eligible veterans who are not in contact with the Royal New Zealand Artillery Association should provide their contact
details to New Zealand Defence Force Personnel Archives and Medals, Private Bag 905, Upper Hutt 5140.
Email: NZDF.pam@nzdf.mil.nz or telephone: 04 527 5280.
ENDS
Background Notes
History
161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery initially deployed to Vietnam near Bien Hoa in July 1965. They moved to Nui Dat
in the neighbouring Phuoc Tuy province as part of the newly formed 1st Australian Task Force on 23 May 1966, and
provided continuous fire support to successive Australian and New Zealand battalions from that date until withdrawn in
May 1971.
One of the first major operations for the 1st Australian Task Force was to deploy 120 kilometres from their Nui Dat base
to an area in Bien Hoa Province designated “Area of Operation Surfers”. This was an area important to the North
Vietnamese Army offensive operations being conducted against Saigon in 1968. The Task Force established Fire Support
Bases named Coral and Balmoral.
The battles that followed were among the largest and most protracted fought by the Australian Task Force in the Vietnam
War. The gunners of 161 Battery received high praise for the accuracy and volume of fire support they provided at
critical stages of attacks on the Australian battalion positions.
This is the first Australian Unit Citation for Gallantry offered to a New Zealand military unit. In 2010, approval was
given for three New Zealand Army personnel who were attached to D Company, 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment at
the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam in 1966 to accept and wear the Australian Unit Citation for Gallantry awarded to D
Company.
Eligibility
Authority to wear the insignia associated with this unit citation is only for those veterans who participated in the
battles, none of whom are serving New Zealand Defence Force military personnel. Current personnel of 161 Battery will
not wear the insignia as a dress embellishment.
Information about the planned presentation in March 2019 will be sent to eligible veterans through the Royal New Zealand
Artillery Association email and social media networks. Eligible veterans who are not in contact with the Royal New
Zealand Artillery Association should provide their contact details to New Zealand Defence Force Personnel Archives and
Medals, Private Bag 905, Upper Hutt 5140. Email: NZDF.pam@nzdf.mil.nz or telephone: 04 527 5280.
ENDS