Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry) Peter J. Badcoe (41400), Royal Australian Army, for gallantry in action on 7 April 1967, while serving as Operations Advisor, Thua Thien Sector, Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Major Badcoe was accompanying a Division force moving to engage and destroy suspected enemy positions near the hamlet of An Thuan. As the unit approached the operational area it came under intense mortar, recoilless rifle, and automatic weapons fire from fortifications located within the hamlet. Major Badcoe, at the forefront of the attacking infantry units, immediately raced across fire-swept areas to a forward position where he could coordinate the offensive efforts. As the Vietnamese soldiers advanced closer to the enemy emplacements, a destructive mortar barrage was directed at them. Realizing that the intensity of the enemy resistance had virtually halted the attack, Major Badcoe moved back through the withering fire to the Vietnamese soldiers and exhorted them to vigorously engage the enemy. Then, displaying exemplary leadership, he returned to his forward position, leading the assaulting troops. Following his valiant, courageous example, the government soldiers, though at a decided tactical disadvantage, pressed the attack vigorously and ultimately broke the enemy defenses and destroyed their positions. As a result of Major Badcoe’s singularly impressive display of battlefield courage, an inspired Vietnamese force was able to achieve a hard-won victory over a strong and determined enemy. Major Badcoe’s conspicuous gallantry in action reflected great credit upon himself and the Royal Australian Army.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    Foreign

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry)

    Division:

    Thua Thien Sector, Republic of Vietnam

    Action Date:

    February 25, 1967
    Headquarters, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1846 (September 16, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry) Peter J. Badcoe (41400), Royal Australian Army, for gallantry in action on 23 February 1967, while serving as Subsector Advisor, Nam Hoa Subsector, and as Operations Advisor, Thua Thien Sector, Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Major Badcoe was accompanying a Regional Forces Company engaged in a firefight near the Village of Mong Ha. As the battle raged he monitored a radio transmission stating that the American Subsector Advisor had been killed and the Medical Specialist Advisor seriously wounded. Both men were lying in unprotected positions, subject to enemy fire. Reacting immediately, Major Badcoe raced across 600 meters of exposed terrain to the positions of the fallen American Advisors. After insuring that the wounded medic would be relatively safe, Major Badcoe then organized a platoon-size unit to recover the Subsector Advisor. Heedless of the fierce enemy automatic weapons fire, Major Badcoe led the platoon into the very face of the Viet Cong fire, exhorting the men forward as the small unit fought its way to the advisor’s location. After reaching the Subsector Advisor, Major Badcoe picked him up and, although the target of enemy gunners all the way back, returned to the company command post. Undaunted by the intense fire, he then returned to the wounded medic’s location, administered additional first aid and directed his evacuation from the area. As a result of Major Badcoe’s quick, courageous actions in an extremely dangerous situation, the life of the wounded advisor was saved and the body of a fallen comrade recovered. Major Badcoe’s conspicuous gallantry in action reflected great credit upon himself and the Royal Australian Army.