Nearly 44 years ago, in the bleak torrential rain of a Vietnam downpour, Morrie Stanley saved a lot of Australian lives.
Today the Australians recognised his Vietnam War bravery and in a moving ceremony which reduced the terminally ill Mr Stanley to tears, they pinned a bravery award on his chest in a ceremony at the East Coast Bays RSA on Auckland's North Shore.
The award was an Australian Unit Citation for Gallantry awarded to D Company, 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment which fought in a battle now famous in Australian military history.
Three New Zealand soldiers - Captain Stanley and lance bombardiers Willie Walker and Murray Broomhall - were attached to the 104 members of the Australian company when they were attacked in the rubber plantation of Long Tan by about 2500 to 3000 North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong soldiers on August 18, 1966.
In the ensuing battle 17 Australian soldiers died and 23 were wounded but had it not been for the skills of the kiwis, the battle of Long Tan would probably have been lost and all the Australian soldiers killed.
The trio were at the front line directing the artillery fire from 21 artillery guns from New Zealand, Australia and American units which eventually drove back the attacking Vietnamese troops, leaving 245 dead.
