The Excessively Rare Vietnam War Helicopter Gunner's D.F.M. Group of Four to Corporal W.W. O'Rourke, Royal Australian Air Force

Details
The Excessively Rare Vietnam War Helicopter Gunner's D.F.M. Group of Four to Corporal W.W. O'Rourke, Royal Australian Air Force

(a)Distinguished Flying Medal, E.II.R. (A42889 Cpl., R.A.A.F.), with Royal Mint case of issue
(b)Vietnam Medal (A42889 Rourke, W.W.)
(c)Australian National Medal for Service (A42889 O'Rourke, W.W.)
(d)South Vietnam Campaign Medal (A42889 O'Rourke, W.W., the last slightly chipped, good very fine, mounted as worn (4)

Lot Essay

Just 10 Distinguished Flying Medals to the Royal Australian Air Force for the Vietnam War.

Sold with the recipient's original R.A.A.F. Flying Log Book, covering the period July 1967 to June 1968; together with R.A.A.F. Certificate of Service (dated 17.3.1977); two or three photographs and some official correspondence.

D.F.M. Commonwealth Gazette 13.3.1969 'Corporal William Wallace O'Rourke has completed an operational tour in the Republic of Vietnam, flying as an Assistant Crewman on Iroquois Helicopters with No.9 Squadron. During his tour Corporal O'Rourke has completed over 4000 missions. He demonstrated a high degree of skill with M60 machine-guns, being credited with five probable kills. Corporal O'Rourke has an outstanding record of steadfastness and firing skill when facing the enemy. He set a fine example to all crewmen and added measurably to the Squadron's achievements'.

Warrant Officer William Wallace O'Rourke, D.F.M., who was from Mitchell Park, S.A., was born in December 1939 and joined the Royal Australian Air Force in February 1957. He was discharged in March 1977.