THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

BROWN James Wairata

S37575 & 537575, Lieutenant, 1 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment

CITATION

Military Cross

Gazetted 20 May 1966, Supp 43990, p6112

On the 21st June 1965 while in command of 3 Platoon, A Company, 1 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, Lieutenant Brown was organising a platoon patrol base in the Border area of Lubok Antu in the Second Division of Sarawak, when one of his sentries fired on and wounded an enemy 'soldier who approached the patrol base. Lieutenant Brown immediately organised and controlled an offensive sweep with two of his sections which drove a party of 3-4 enemy across the Border. It was Lieutenant Brown's presence of mind which saved the wounded man from being killed in the heat of the moment and which subsequently enabled a detailed and valuable interrogation of the prisoner to be made.  On the 28th July 1965 while commanding the leading platoon in company operations in the Border area of Lubok Antu in the Second Division of Sarawak, the enemy opened fire from a distance of 25 yards on the leading section of Lieutenant Brown's platoon.

The enemy, who were in a dominating ambush position, and estimated at a strength approximately 40, brought very heavy automatic '"and light mortar fire on to Lieutenant Brown's platoon which was pinned down. He immediately called for covering fire from another platoon which was supporting his movement forward. He then went forward with his leading section commander to the lead scout and from a distance of 15 yards threw high explosive and smoke grenades into the enemy defences. He then returned and supervised the withdrawal of his platoon to a fire position behind cover. He next took charge of his 2 inch mortar and personally fired 12 high explosive bombs into the enemy position. It is now known that 7 enemy were killed or died from wounds in this action.

On 29th August 1965 in the border area of Lubok Antu in the Second Division of Sarawak, Lieutenant Brown's platoon was required to give covering fire to a reconnaissance patrol. The accuracy and effectiveness of this fire resulted in an estimated three enemy killed and two wounded.

KNOWN AWARDS

Military Cross

Campaign Service Medal

Borneo

Queen's Vietnam Medal

Vietnam Star

1960

NOTES

Born 3 May 1940 New Zealand

Died 30 May 1997 Wellington, New Zealand

Buried at Tataiahape Marae Urupa, Waimana

BIOGRAPHICAL

Lieutenant Brown of Waimana, Bay of Plenty, was one of six recipients of awards for gallant and distinguished service in Malaysia recently announced by the Governor General, Sir Bernard Fergusson. He received the Military Cross.

The citation says that while he was commanding a platoon on operations one of his sentries fired on and wounded an Indonesian Scout. Lieutenant Brown quickly organised a patrol which captured the men who subsequently gave much valuable information.

A few weeks later Lieutenant Brown's platoon came under heavy fire. Calling for covering fire, Lieutenant Brown moved forward to within hand grenade range of the enemy and inflicted heavy casualties before returning to supervise the withdrawal of his men.