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Kapyong honoured

Edition 1165, May 03, 2007
 
Holding ground: A Fd Bty, 3RAR’s Direct Support Artillery Unit, holds ground during the Battle of Kapyong parade on April 24.
Photo by Phil Barling
 
On parade: Reviewing Officer Maj-Gen Ash Power and CO 3RAR Lt-Col Mick Mumford inspect the 3RAR guards.
Photo by Bill Cuneen
KAPYONG Day will forever hold personal meaning for 96 members of 3RAR, following the presentation on April 23 of Service medals.

Serving members were presented AASMs, ASMs, and Iraq Campaign Medals from veterans of the battalion from Korea and Vietnam at a special medal presentation parade.

The following day 3RAR paused, like it had on April 24 every year for the past 56 years, to remember the most significant Australian battle of the Korean War, The Battle of Kapyong.

During this battle 3RAR joined 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and a company of US tanks to halt an attacking Chinese force.

For their heroism that day, the participating units were awarded a US Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation.

The unit conducted a ceremonial parade on the morning of Kapyong Day, which although marked by a steady downpour was attended by a large crowd of friends, families and veterans of the battalion.

After the parade, veterans of that battle and other battles and operations joined current soldiers of 3RAR for an all-ranks lunch.