Rayene (Ray) ‘Simmo’ Simpson, VC, DCM
One of Australia’s greatest soldiers, Ray ‘Simmo’ Simpson, was one of the first group of 30 AATTV (Australian Army Training Team Vietnam), the first Australians deployed to the Vietnam War, 1962.
Simmo lived in the Timber Barracks with the AATTV group who trained at 10 Terminal, Middle Head, opposite the Timber Barracks.
He was a 43-year old Warrant Officer with the AATTV in Kon Tum Province when, on 6 May 1969, he rescued a wounded fellow warrant officer and later fought alone against heavy odds to cover the evacuation of a number of casualties. For his valour, he won the Victoria Cross and a number of other decorations.
On 6 May, 1969, he (Ray ‘Simmo’ Simpson) was commander of the 232nd Mobile Strike Force Company on a search and clear operation in the Kontum Province, Vietnam. When one of his platoons became heavily engaged with the enemy, he led the remainder of his company to its assistance. He personally led the assault on the enemy positions and when another officer was seriously wounded, he carried him to a position of safety. He then returned to his company, crawled forward to within ten metres of the enemy and threw grenades into their positions. Unable to break into the enemy position, he ordered his company to withdraw, then threw smoke grenades, carried out a wounded comrade and covered the withdrawal of his company. For leadership and personal bravery in this action, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. – John T. Griffith, US Army Vietnam War Veteran. [REF. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7996408/rayene-stewart-simpson]