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Cenotaph record

Douglas Ian Paterson

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Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Douglas Ian AWMM
  • Surname
    Paterson AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
    • D. I. Paterson AWMM
    • Punchy AWMM
  • Service number
    Vietnam 76055 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    15 April 1934 AWMM Opotiki, Bay of Plenty AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
  • Relationship status

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    Vietnam War, 1961-1975 AWMM
  • Campaign
  • Armed force / branch
    Air Force AWMM
  • Service number
    Vietnam 76055 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) AWMM
      29 April 1971 AWMM
      NZ Gazette Number 37 dated 20 May 1971 CITATION On June 14, 1970, Flight Lieutenant Paterson was the captain of an Iroquois helicopter called forward for an emergency re-supply of ammunition to a platoon of C Company, 8 RAR in Phuoc Tuy Province. The Australian Army platoon, critically low on ammunition, was under heavy fire from a superior enemy element entrenched in bunkers less than 50 metres away, and in grave danger of being overrun. Quickly evaluating the seriousness of the situation, and knowing full well the proximity of the enemy and his own vulnerability to ground fire, Flight Lieutenant Paterson undertook to drop belts of ammunition to the platoon. He completed part of the re-supply operation before being forced to land his aircraft, which had been badly damaged by enemy fire, in a secure area; his aircraft had sustained 21 hits at very close range. Despite his knowledge of the accuracy and intensity of the enemy fire Flight Lieutenant Paterson returned to the area in a replacement aircraft and completed the re-supply mission. As a result of his courageous actions the Australian Army platoon was able to break contact successfully and withdraw without loss of life. The outstanding courage and devotion to duty displayed by Flight Lieutenant Paterson in this action were in keeping with the finest traditions of the Service and brought great credit to himself and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Notes to Citation: Born Opotiki 15 April 1934. Served in the RNZAF from 24 Jan 1951 to 20 May 1971 as a Pilot, then from 6 March 1972 to 6 March 1977 as an administrator. Died in Auckland 12th June 1980 AWMM
    • New Zealand Operational Service Medal AWMM
    • Vietnam Medal AWMM
    • New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Warlike) AWMM
    • New Zealand Armed Forces Award and bar AWMM
    • New Zealand Defence Service Medal (Regular clasp) AWMM
    • Campaign Medal (South Vietnam) AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Embarkations

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes

Last known rank

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  • Last rank

Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • 76055 S/Ldr Douglas Ian Paterson DFC, enlisted with the RNZAF in 1950 as a boy entrant. He served in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War attached to No 9 Squadron RAAF flying helicopters, and was awarded the DFC in 1971.

    Read citation for DFC. AWMM

Death

About death

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  • Death
    12 June 1980 Ministry for Culture and Heritage
    AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
  • References
    • Subritsky, M. (Ed). (1995). The Vietnam scrapbook: The second ANZAC adventure. Papakura, N.Z.: Three Feathers Publishing Co. AWMM
    • Hall, C. (2014). No front line : inside stories of New Zealand's Vietnam War. Auckland, New Zealand : Penguin Books. AWMM
    • This record was created from data kindly provided by the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. AWMM
    • Hanson, C. (2001). By such deeds: honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999. Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press. AWMM
      p.385-6 AWMM

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