Thirty Australians were captured during the Korean War...
Six were Royal Australian Air Force aircrew who survived being shot down over enemy territory. The other twenty-four were taken prisoner on the battlefield while serving with the Australian Army.
Three Australian soldiers were released on 9 February 1951, soon after having been captured. Three more were released in Operation Little Switch, the first exchange of prisoners, in April 1953. The remainder, with the exception of Private Horace W Madden, were released at the end of the war in a general exchange of prisoners of war. Madden was the only Australian to die while in captivity. For his courage while a prisoner of war he was posthumously awarded the George Cross. The citation states:
Testimonials have been provided by officers and men from many units of the Commonwealth and allied forces which showed that the heroism he displayed was outstanding. Despite repeated beatings and many other forms of ill-treatment inflicted because of his defiance to his captors, Private Madden remained cheerful and optimistic. Although deprived of food because of his behaviour, resulting in malnutrition, he was known to share his meagre supplies purchased from Koreans with other prisoners who were sick. This did not deter him and for six months, although becoming progressively weaker, he remained undaunted in his resistance. He would in no way co-operate with the enemy. This gallant soldier's outstanding heroism was an inspiration to all his fellow prisoners.
Service number | Rank | Name | Unit | Date of capture | Date of release |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4400163 | Private | Glen Brown | 3RAR | 25 January 1953 | 23 April 1953 |
2400000 | Corporal | Donald Pattison Buck | 3RAR | 21 January 1951 | Released on cessation of hostilities |
2400024 | Corporal | Lawrence Edward Buckland | 3RAR | 21 January 1951 | 9 February 1951 |
310484 | Private | Dennis Douglas Condon | 1RAR | 23 August 1952 | Released on cessation of hostilities |
1400481 | Private | John Frederick Davis | 3RAR | 25 January 1953 | 23 April 1953 |
2401292 | Private | Brian Thomas Davoren | 3RAR | 25 January 1953 | 23 April 1953 |
1400205 | Private | Eric Donnelly | 3RAR | 14 January 1953 | 23 April 1953 |
033624 | Wing Commander | Vance Drummond | 77 Sqn | December 1951 | 1953 |
3462 | Brigadier | Phillip Jamieson Greville | 1RAR | 23 August 1952 | Released on cessation of hostilities |
022139 | Squadron Leader | Ronald David Guthrie | 77 Sqn | August 1951 | September 1953 |
3400024 | Private | Keith Roy Gwyther | 3RAR | 24 April 1951 | Released on cessation of hostilities |
022100 | Flight Lieutenant | John Thomas Hannan | 77 Sqn | February 1952 | September 1953 |
022048 | Group Captain | Gordon Ronald Harvey | 77 Sqn | January 1951 | August 1953 |
2400311 | Private | Thomas Henry John Hollis | 3RAR | 21 January 1951 | Released on cessation of hostilities |
2400470 | Private | Alfred Jacobs | 3RAR | 14 August 1952 | Released on cessation of hostilities |
1400059 | Private | Edward George Light | 3RAR | 21 January 1951 | 9 February 1951 |
5400033 | Private | John Houston Mackay | 3RAR | 25 January 1951 | 23 April 1953 |
2400186 | Private | Horace William Madden | 3RAR | 24 April 1951 | Died 9 November 1951 while POW |
1400542 | Private | James McCulloch | 3RAR | 25 January 1953 | Released on cessation of hostilities |
1400127 18029 | Lieutenant | Angus Peter McDonald | 3RAR AAUK | 21 January 1951 | 9 February 1951 |
3400808 | Private | Vivian Edward O'Brien | 3RAR | 25 January 1953 | Released on cessation of hostilities |
24000360 | Private | Robert Henry Parker | 3RAR | 24 April 1951 | Released on cessation of hostilities |
5400108 | Corporal | Edward James Perks | 3RAR | 26 May 1953 | Released on cessation of hostilities |
02925 | Flying Officer | Donald William Pinkstone | 77 Sqn | ||
35698 3400795 | Private | Anthony Poole | 3RAR | 25 January 1953 | Released on cessation of hostilities |
3400629 | Private | George Smith | 3RAR | 14 January 1953 | Released on cessation of hostilities |
2401248 | Private | Fred Speed | 2RAR | 7 June 1953 | Released on cessation of hostilities |
1400593 | Private | Colin Montague Tesch | 3RAR | 25 June 1953 | Released on cessation of hostilities |
032427 | Flying Officer | Bruce Lachlan Thomson | 77 Sqn | ||
57013 | Lieutenant Colonel | Charles Peter Yacopetti | 3RAR | 26 May 1953 | Released on cessation of hostilities |