A One-Man Last Stand — Kevin “Dasher” Wheatley VC MG

During the Vietnam War, when ambushed and outnumbered by Viet Cong forces, Warrant Officer Kevin “Dasher” Wheatley refused to abandon his wounded mate and chose to go down fighting against impossible odds rather than leave a man behind. This action of selfless gallantry led to a posthumous awarding of Australia’s highest military gallantry medal, the Victoria Cross. Wheatley was a member of the legendary Australian Army Training Team (AATV) and his story is still taught today in the Australian Army as an example of sacrifice, valour and mateship. In addition to the Victoria Cross, in other separate actions this fearless Aussie soldier was also awarded the Silver Star and Medal for Gallantry. The South Vietnamese government also awarded Wheatley the Knight of the National Order of Vietnam, Cross of Gallantry and Military Merit Medal.