Sergeant Alexander D SUTHERLAND, DCM

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

Sergeant Alexander Sutherland served in the British Army in Korea before enlisting in the AustralianRegular Army on 13 February, 1961.  He joined 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment on 16 January, 1967 and arrived in South Vietnam with the Battalion in April 1967.

Sergeant Sutherland was initially posted as the Regimental Police Sergeant, a duty that he undertook conscientiously and efficiently.  In July 1967 he was reposted as Platoon Sergeant of 2nd Platoon, A Company.

On 6 August 1967 Sergeant Sutherland’s platoon became engaged in heavy action with an enemy company. Disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Sutherland repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire while moving amongst his soldiers, reassuring the wounded and directing fire of the remainder on the enemy strong points, until he himself was seriously wounded by an enemy 40 mm rocket.  His actions instilled confidence and courage and greatly helped his platoon continue the battle against overwhelming odds

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Extract from: Vietnam Veterans Honours and Awards by Alexander M Palmer