Gallantry Award For Sergeant Who Led Bloody Timor Battle
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday March 25, 2000
A soldier with the elite Special Air Service regiment, Sergeant Steven Oddy, will be awarded the Gallantry Medal today for his bravery in the bloodiest battle so far in Australia's military deployment to East Timor.
Sergeant Oddy's full citation is classified because he belongs to the secretive, Perth-based special forces unit. But, according to an account of the action released to the Herald, he was the leader of a six-man patrol sent to the village of Aidabasalala, about 15 kilometres from the border with West Timor, on October 13 to confirm reports that up to 20 pro-Jakarta militia were operating from the area.
Three days later, Sergeant Oddy saw a group of militiamen armed with automatic weapons advancing towards his patrol. He ordered his men to open fire when the militiamen clearly threatened his position. The militia withdrew and then mounted four more attacks on the patrol.
In the clashes, the peacekeepers killed three militia and wounded three. Sergeant Oddy then guided a helicopter-borne rapid reaction force to his patrol's location. His men were lifted out without suffering casualties.
An abridged version of his citation said that Sergeant Oddy was leading the patrol as part of Operation Warden. His ``composure under fire was responsible for the successful conduct of the mission", it said.
``His courage and gallantry in action reflects great credit on himself and the Australian Army."
The Queen will present Sergeant Oddy and five other East Timor veterans with awards at a ceremony in Canberra this morning.
The commander of the International Peacekeeping Force in East Timor, Major-General Peter Cosgrove, will be appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for his leadership in stabilising the territory.
Able Seaman Justin James Brown, of Rockingham, Western Australia, will receive a commendation for gallantry for his role in a dangerous reconnaissance while part of a Navy clearance diving team exploring an amphibious landing site.
The Queen will also present the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Day and the Nursing Cross to Staff Sergeant Kim Felmingham.
© 2000 Sydney Morning Herald