Richard (Dick) Norden

Richard Leslie Norden was born in Gundagai, New South Wales, on 24 August 1948. He was the son of Walter Norden and his wife Rita Crane. Richard's father and an uncle, Edward John 'Jack' Norden, served in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during World War II.

Service in the Army

Just out of school and only 18, Richard volunteered to enlist in the Australian Army on 27 April 1966.

After military training in Australia, Richard was deployed to Vietnam with the 1st Australian Reinforcement Unit, arriving on 5 December 1967. After combat training in Vietnam, he was assigned to the 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR) on 31 January 1968. Richard served with 7RAR for more than 2 months before transferring to 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR).

On 12 May 1968, Australian and New Zealand forces set up Fire Support Bases (FSBs) Coral and Balmoral in Bien Hoa province. As part of the daily routine at FSB Coral, Richard joined infantry patrols. The soldiers ventured thousands of metres from the base, doing reconnaissance and seeking contact with the enemy.

On 14 May, Richard’s platoon came under heavy fire during one of a series of contacts outside the FSBs. These contacts were part of the larger Battle of Coral–Balmoral. Using his initiative and demonstrating care for his mates, Richard rescued a wounded soldier and recovered the body of another, with little cover and under intense enemy fire. His actions prevented the enemy from inflicting further casualties.

Army headquarters announced the names of Australian casualties in the 'Bien Hoa reconnaissance'. The Canberra Times reported Richard as wounded but in a satisfactory condition.

Richard served with 1RAR in Vietnam until 13 August 1968. He continued serving with the Australian Army back home in Australia.

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Richard was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) on 20 August 1968 for actions on 14 May 1968. For an other-ranked soldier, the DCM ranked second only to the Victoria Cross, the highest possible award for courage and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy.

The full citation for his DCM reads:

Private Norden, a member of the leading section, asked for covering fire and ran forward — under heavy enemy fire — to the wounded section commander. He killed one Viet Cong while moving forward and, having expended his ammunition, recovered the enemy's automatic weapon which he used against further Viet Cong while assisting the wounded section commander back to the section. Due to this initial action the life of the section commander was saved under intense enemy fire. Although wounded in his initial move forward, Private Norden again advanced to the forward scout. He was fired on by an enemy soldier but pressed forward and reached the scout, killing the Viet Cong who had been using the scout as a shield. Private Norden, having determined that the scout was dead, returned to the section, collected grenades and cleared the area so that the body of the scout could be recovered. His three attacks into the enemy position on his own resulted in the enemy position being secured. Private Norden showed a complete disregard for his own personal safety, and by his courage and devotion to duty ensured the evacuation of a wounded man and the recovery of the body of the forward scout.

Richard attended an investiture at Government House in October 1969 with his wife and mother.

Service in the police force

At his own request, Richard discharged from the Australian Army with the rank of Private in April 1969 after 3 years of service. He married Robynn Lenon in June 1969, and they settled in her hometown of Canberra.

Richard was sworn in as a recruit at ACT Police headquarters on 9 February 1970. He remained active in the veteran community. Richard was also a member of the Gundagai RSL Sub-branch (NSW Branch) in his old hometown.

Tragically, Constable Richard Norden passed away in Canberra Hospital on 30 October 1972. He died from injuries received in a motorcycle accident in Red Hill on 26 October while on police duty. Soldiers who had served with Richard and members of both the Gundagai RSL Sub-branch and the RSL (ACT Branch) attended his funeral at St John's Church in Reid on 1 November. Richard was buried in the Anglican section of the Canberra General Cemetery (now Woden Cemetery) with full police honours.

Richard was survived by his wife Robynn and their sons, Scott and Shane.

In 1991, the Duntroon other-ranks tavern in Canberra was formally named as the Richard Norden DCM Club in his memory.

Victoria Cross

Richard was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia (VC) on 11 November 2024 for his bravery during the Vietnam War more than 50 years before. The Victoria Cross is Australia's highest military honour.

The VC was awarded for Richard's actions on 14 May 1968 during the Battle of Coral–Balmoral.

The Remembrance Day announcement came more than 2 years after the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal recommended Richard to receive the Victoria Cross for Australia.

The full citation for his VC reads:

For most conspicuous acts of gallantry in action in the presence of the enemy in the ‘AO Surfers’ Area of Operations in Bien Hoa province, Vietnam, on the 14th of May 1968 during the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral. During Operation Toan Thang the 5th Platoon, Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, were ambushed and came under heavy fire from an estimated squad of seven to ten North Vietnamese army regular soldiers. Private Norden, a member of the leading section, ran forward under heavy enemy fire to the section commander and the forward scout who were wounded during the initial contact. Private Norden killed one North Vietnamese enemy soldier whilst moving forward and having depleted, expended, his ammunition, recovered that enemy's automatic weapon which he used against further North Vietnamese army soldiers. He then half carried, half dragged the severely wounded section commander back to the section. Private Norden, seriously wounded, again advanced to the forward scout. He pressed forward under enemy fire and reached the scout, killing the North Vietnamese army soldier who had been using the scout as a shield. Having determined that the scout was dead, Private Norden returned to the section to collect grenades and moved forward for the third time. He cleared the area to enable the body of the scout to be recovered. Private Norden showed a complete disregard for his own personal safety and his courage and selfless acts resulted in the enemy position being secured and likely saved the lives of the other members of the platoon.