Kevin Wheatley
| Kevin Arthur Wheatley | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | "Dasher" |
| Born |
13 March 1937 Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 13 November 1965 (aged 28) Tra Bong, Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam |
| Buried at | Pine Grove Memorial Park |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch | Australian Army |
| Years of service | 1956–65 |
| Rank | Warrant Officer Class II |
| Unit |
Royal Australian Regiment Australian Army Training Team Vietnam |
| Battles/wars |
Malayan Emergency Vietnam War |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Silver Star (United States) Knight of the National Order of Vietnam Military Merit Medal (Vietnam) Cross of Gallantry (Vietnam) |
Kevin Arthur "Dasher" Wheatley, VC (13 March 1937 – 13 November 1965) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Wheatley was one of four Australians to receive the award for actions during the Vietnam War.
Wheatley was born in the Sydney suburb of Surry Hills on 13 March 1937, the third child of Raymond and Ivy (née Newman) Wheatley, both natives of Sydney. He was educated at Maroubra Junction Junior Technical School. Upon completing his schooling, Wheatley worked as a labourer in Sydney. On 20 July 1954, he married Edna Davis; together they would have four children. He was a keen rugby player, and he earned the nickname of "Dasher" on the field.
On 12 June 1956, at the age of 19, Wheatley enlisted in the Australian Regular Army and after completing basic training he was allocated to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and posted to the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Early the following year, he was posted to the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and he subsequently served a tour of Malaya between late 1957 and early 1959, during the Malayan Emergency. After his return to Australia, Wheatley served a posting with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in 1959–61 and then the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment from 1961 to 1965. He was promoted twice in 1964, firstly to sergeant and then warrant officer. In early 1965, he was posted to the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam and deployed to South Vietnam.
...
Wikipedia