About the product

Vietnam Pair RNZIR Wounded Maori Descent

Vietnam Medal, Vietnam Campaign Star (named), bar 1960-, 390032 Pte J.O. Burgess, RNZIR. Jack Owen “Lee Jack” Burgess, served in Vietnam from 1970-71 with V5 Coy RNZIR, being wounded in action on 18th June 1970.

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SKU: J6129 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
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Description

Vietnam Medal, Vietnam Campaign Star (named), bar 1960-, 390032 Pte J.O. Burgess, RNZIR. Jack Owen “Lee Jack” Burgess, served in Vietnam from 1970-71 with Victor 5 Company Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, being wounded in action on 18th June 1970.

 

With 3 original Zew Zealand patches/titles and a RNZIR cap badge.
From his picture he appears to be of Maori descent.

 

During May 1970, V5 arrived for their tour of Vietnam, replacing V4 Company, they served for a year until May 1971, only a month later, Pte Burgess is recorded as wounded in action on 18th June 1970 by a gunshot wound to the chest in contact with the enemy.

 

According to the New Zealand Government, over 3000 New Zealanders served in the Vietnam War, with only 187 being wounded, and 37 died on active service.

 

On this same day a number of NZ men were wounded, Pte Keith Walma Tahu of V5 RNZIR was also wounded in action by Shrapnel, Pte Paul Winthrop Batty (former 2 NZATTV) was wounded by a detonated mine and Edward Nirai Kingi ‘Old Man’ McRae of V4 received multiple shrapnel wounds.