Kevin Wheatley was born in the Sydney suburb of Surry Hills on 13 March 1937, the third child of Raymond and Ivy Kevin Wheatley, both natives of Sydney.
20 Facts About Kevin Wheatley
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2.
Kevin Wheatley was educated at Maroubra Junction Junior Technical School.
3.
Kevin Wheatley was a keen rugby player, and he earned the nickname of "Dasher" on the field.
4.
On 12 June 1956, at the age of 19, Kevin Wheatley enlisted in the Australian Army and after completing basic training he was allocated to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and posted to the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.
5.
Kevin Wheatley was promoted twice in 1964, firstly to sergeant and then warrant officer.
6.
Later, in August 1965, during an attack on a Viet Cong held village Kevin Wheatley was recommended for an award by a US infantry advisor after he single-handedly exploited the position, carrying the attack up a steep slope as the VC forces withdrew.
7.
Kevin Wheatley was assigned to one of the platoons with a fellow warrant officer, Ron Swanton.
8.
When his platoon began to scatter, Kevin Wheatley carried the wounded Swanton to a safer area as Fazekas moved his troops to support.
9.
Kevin Wheatley was 28 years old, and a warrant officer in the Australian Army Training Team when he performed the deed for which he was later awarded the VC.
10.
Warrant Officer Kevin Wheatley enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in 1956.
11.
Kevin Wheatley served in Malaya with 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment from 1957 to 1959 and then with 2nd and 1st Battalions of the Regiment until 1965 when he was posted to the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam.
12.
Kevin Wheatley's posting in this area has been distinguished by meritorious and gallant service.
13.
At about 1340 hours, Warrant Officer Kevin Wheatley reported contact with Viet Cong elements.
14.
The Viet Cong resistance increased in strength until finally Warrant Officer Kevin Wheatley asked for assistance.
15.
Kevin Wheatley discarded his radio to enable him to half drag, half carry Warrant Officer Swanton, under heavy machine-gun and automatic rifle fire, out of the open rice paddies into the comparative safety of a wooded area, some 200 metres away.
16.
Kevin Wheatley was assisted by a Civil Irregular Defence Group member, Private Dinh Do who, when the Viet Cong were only some ten metres away, urged him to leave his dying comrade.
17.
Warrant Officer Kevin Wheatley displayed magnificent courage in the face of an overwhelming Viet Cong force which was later estimated at more than a company.
18.
Kevin Wheatley had the clear choice of abandoning a wounded comrade and saving himself by escaping through the dense timber or of staying with Warrant Officer Swanton and thereby facing certain death.
19.
Kevin Wheatley's award was one of four Victoria Crosses bestowed upon members of the AATTV and was the first awarded to an Australian during the Vietnam War.
20.
Kevin Wheatley was buried at Pine Grove Memorial Park in the Western Sydney suburb of Minchinbury.