Peter John Badcoe, VC

Short and stocky, Peter Badcoe did not look a hero. A quiet retiring man with a dry sense of humour, he neither smoked nor drank alcohol. He preferred to read military history rather than participate in mess activities. Known as the ‘Galloping Major’ because of his energy, he wore a red beret in action. He led by example, often in the line of fire.  

Badcoe (far right) with Governor General Lord Casey (centre) on a visit to Greenhills Holsworthy range c. 1966

Badcoe (far right) with Governor General Lord Casey (centre) on a visit to Greenhills Holsworthy range c. 1966

Born Peter John Badcock in Malvern, Adelaide, he was one of two children of Gladys and Leslie. After attending Adelaide Technical High School, he entered the public service in 1950, and then enlisted in the Australian Army. In 1952, he graduated as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Artillery. He served in both artillery and infantry services including two years in Malaya. In 1966, Badcoe joined the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam as an Operations Adviser and was posted to Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.

Badcoe was married to Denise McMahon, and they settled in Sydney, where they raised three daughters.

While serving abroad he wrote home frequently, always with great affection and a longing to see his wife and "little sweeties". His letters recorded his experiences and challenges in Vietnam. Badcoe wrote to his wife about his concern for the South Vietnamese, and his distress at needless civilian deaths and orphaned children.

Denise and Peter Badcoe on their wedding day, 26 May 1956

Denise and Peter Badcoe on their wedding day, 26 May 1956

Air mail from Badcoe to his wife Denise (HT 2024.0190)

“I spent all day Sunday and half of Monday getting out the bodies and cleaning up and trying to get the people a place to live and some food.

What do you say to them when their houses have been burnt and their families burnt to death? I was so furious and disgusted I don’t think I said a word all day. I just couldn’t speak.”

Letter from Major Badcoe to Denise Badcoe, 7 February 1967

Major Peter John Badcoe

Major Peter John Badcoe

Between 23 February to 7 April 1967, Badcoe exhibited tremendous gallantry and valour. He moved across open enemy fire to provide medical aid to an American adviser; he successfully led his platoon to capture enemy position on multiple occasions; and he provided encouragement and leadership to his troops when spirits waned. On 7 April, Badcoe was leading South Vietnamese troops in a counterattack against enemy position in the Huong Tra district. He was killed by a burst of enemy fire as he rose to throw a grenade.

The morning of his death he wrote,

“Only 108 days to go… I miss you and the little girls more than I can ever tell you and I’m look[ing] forward so very much to our holiday together.” - 7 April 1967

Badcoe, age 33, was buried at Terendak Cemetery, Malaysia.

For his extraordinary feats, Badcoe was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. It was presented to Denise Badcoe by Governor-General, Lord Richard Gavin Gardiner Casey, at Parliament House on 5 April 1968.

Letter from Prime Minister Harold Holt to Denise Badcoe (HT 2024.0146)

Letter from Prime Minister Harold Holt to Denise Badcoe (HT 2024.0146)

Denise Badcoe with Lord Casey

Denise Badcoe with Lord Casey

Badcoe's Victoria Cross was the second to be awarded to an Australian soldier in Vietnam, and the 94^th awarded to an Australian since the decoration was instituted in 1856.

From Australia he was also awarded a further three service medals for the Vietnam War, as well as medals from the United States of America and South Vietnam.

Click on the photos below to see the medals in greater detail.

Badcoe left a long-standing and wide-reaching legacy. Shortly after his death, the 1^st Australian Support Compound in Vũng Tàu opened the Peter Badcoe Club, a rest and recreation centre for troops. The assembly room and library at the Officer Cadet School, Portsea Victoria, were also named in his honour.

He has also been honoured with memorials and plaques across Adelaide and Canberra, as well as the naming of the South Australian electoral district of Badcoe. Since 2004, the Peter Badcoe VC Medal has been awarded to the AFL player demonstrating the most skill, courage, self-sacrifice, teamwork, and fair play during the Port Adelaide match of the Anzac Day Round.

A day in the life of the Badcoe Club DPR/TV/825. Courtesy Australian War Memorial.

The Peter Badcoe Medal. Courtesy Port Adelaide Football Club.

The Victoria Cross, alongside Badcoe’s other medals and memorabilia, was auctioned in Sydney on 20 May 2008. To ensure the medal remained on Australian soil, the lot was purchased in a combined effort by the South Australian Government and Australian businessman and philanthropist Kerry Stokes AC. The medals toured regionally with the South Australian Museum, and the collection was eventually transferred to the State History Collection of the History Trust of South Australia in 2016.

The Victoria Cross and other medals in the collection are currently on loan in the Hall of Valour at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Victoria Cross, Australian Vietnam Medal, Silver Star Medal with Oak Leaf, Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device (HT 2016.0919 d-h). Courtesy Australian War Memorial.

Victoria Cross, Australian Vietnam Medal, Silver Star Medal with Oak Leaf, Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device (HT 2016.0919 d-h). Courtesy Australian War Memorial.

Some of this text has been taken from Gallantry, a travelling exhibition designed by the History Trust of South Australia.

Collection photography and digitisation courtesy of the South Australian Museum.

Part of the Badcoe medal group is currently cared for by the Australian War Memorial.