British Military Medals- Victoria Cross. Highest award for Bravery

Peter Badcoe was born on January 11th, 1934, in Adelaide, where he grew up and attended school. He went into public service in South Australia and served as a clerk. Peter served in the 16th National Service Battalion for 7 weeks during 1952. Peter entered the OCS (Officer’s Cadet School) at Portsea, Victoria on July 12th of that year. He graduated successfully on the 13the of December, 1952, and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant.

Peter was assigned to the Royal Regiment, Australian Artillery. Peter served for approximately three years as a third grade general staff officer with the Directorate of Military Operations and Plans at the Army Headquarters. In the summer of 1965, Peter transferred to the Infantry Division and his promotion to Major saw him assigned to the Infantry Center at Ingleburn, New South Wales.

It was in August, 1966, that Peter was assigned to the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam. His assignment was that of Sector Operations Officer in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam. In his roll as an advisor, Peter was involved with the training and operations of the Ruff Puffs in his district. “Ruff Puffs” was a nickname given by American troops to members of the South Vietnam Regional Forces and Popular Forces (RFPF). His duties would normally be in planning, staff work, and liaison, but as was the case with many advisors, he would often take advantage of the leeway given to advisors and lead his forces into action. One such situation came about on February 23, 1967.

While acting as advisor to a regional force company involved in sector operations at Phu Tho, he caught a radio transmission advising of the death of an American advisor, and the wounding of an American medic. It was at this time that Peter, disregarding his own safety, sprinted the more than 600 meters across the bullet swept zone to attend to the injured medic and secured his safety. He then led a platoon in attacking the machine gun emplacement, killing the gunners, and recovered the body of the fallen American advisor, and sprinted back to his command post, all the while taking enemy fire.

It was but two weeks later, while deployed to Quang Dien with the Sector Reaction Force countering a Viet Cong attack on the sector headquarters, Peter, who was away from the command group due to the break down of their vehicle, joined the headquarters forces. He personally led the forces over open ground to capture the heavily fortified enemy position. His actions of that day prevented the capture of the district headquarters by the Viet Cong, and certainly prevented heavy casualties.

It was exactly a month to the day later, on April 7th, 1967, that Peter would commit his final act of valor. He was with the 1st Army, Republic of Vietnam Reaction Company in Huong Tra when they came under heavy enemy fire. Peter and his radio operator were left some 50 meters ahead of the force when they retreated back to a cemetery to take cover. He ran back to the company position among the graves, all the while taking enemy fire.

He rallied his troops to counter attack, but they were again stopped by heavy enemy fire. Peter stood to toss a grenade at the enemy position, but was pulled back down by his radio operator, who was trying to save Peter’s life. Again he stood, but this time was his last, as he was killed by enemy rifle fire. Allied artillery later assaulted the enemy positions and ended the battle. Peter Badcoe was buried at the Terendak cemetery in Malaysia.

In addition to the Victoria Cross, Peter was also awarded the Australian Active Service Medal, Vietnam Medal, United States Silver Star with Oak Leaf (awarded twice), National Order of the Republic of Vietnam (Knight), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Gold Star and Silver Star (three awards), Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, First Class, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Peter left behind his wife, Denise, to whom he was wed on the 26th of May, 1956, and their three daughters, who presented his medals to the Australian War Memorial for display in the Hall of Valour.