Lance Corporal William Walker
Lance Corporal Walker enlisted in the New Zealand Army in January 1962 and served with 1 Armoured Squadron (Queen Alexandra’s) until 2 June 1965 when he was posted to 161 Battery for service in Vietnam. He arrived in Vietnam in July 1965 and has since that date been employed as a Forward Observation Officer’s radio operator. He has occupied this position during all major operations of 161 Battery since they arrived in Vietnam.
On 18 August 1966 Lance Corporal Walker, whilst serving with 161 Battery RNZA, in Vietnam was attached to D Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), as the radio operator in the Artillery Observation Post Party.
D Company, 6RAR contacted two enemy battalions in a rubber plantation in the Long Tan area of Phuoc Tuy Province, and was quickly surrounded and under heavy small arms and mortar fire.
Despite the constant danger from this fire in his exposed position Lance Corporal Walker calmly, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, continued for four hours to pass fire orders over his radio to the gun position.
These fire orders enabled our own artillery to inflict such heavy casualties on the enemy that their repeated attacks were repulsed and permitted D Company, 6RAR to be successfully reinforced.
Lance Corporal Walker’s devotion to duty, calmness under fire and disregard for his own personal safety set a fine example to all and was in the highest traditions of the New Zealand Army.