On 11 November 2024, the Governor-General announced that His Majesty The King approved the awarding of the Victoria Cross for Australia to the late Private Richard Norden.
The citation for Private Norden reads:
“For most conspicuous acts of gallantry in action in the presence of the enemy in the ‘AO Surfers’ Area of Operations in the Bien Hoa province, Vietnam, on 14 May 1968 during the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral”
Post Private Norden’s Australian Armed Forces service, he commenced with the ACT Police in February 1970. Sadly, on 30 October 1972 Constable Norden died as a result of injuries sustained in an ACT Police motorcycle accident in Canberra. A touchstone on the National Police Memorial Wall is dedicated to Constable Norden’s sacrifice. The Memorial pays tribute to Australian Police Officers who have been killed on duty or have died as a result of their duties since the advent of policing in Australia and to recognise the unique nature of police service and the dangers that police face in their daily pursuits.
The PFA pays tribute to Private Norden’s legacy as both an extraordinary Private and Police Constable.
~ We will remember ~
Further details on the awarding of the Victoria Cross to Private Norden can be viewed at:
- Award of the Victoria Cross for Australia to the late Private Richard Norden | Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
- Private Richard Norden awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery during the Vietnam War – ABC News