Door gunner’s heroism considered for VC
BY CHRIS DOBIE
02 May, 2011 08:20 AM
THE last moments of Leading Aircrewman Noel Shipp’s life were spent performing his duty to the best of his ability with seemingly little regard for his own safety.
As the American Iroquois helicopter on which he was a door gunner spiralled out of control, the young Aussie never stopped firing his M60 machine gun at the enemy, his brave actions assisting the escape of three unarmed troop carrying helicopters.

Now, more than four decades after his heroic act, the young member of the HMAS Albatross RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam, might be honoured with a Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery during wartime.

The Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal set up by Parliamentary Secretary for Defence David Feeney is investigating the possibility of awarding the Victoria Cross medal or a similar decoration to 13 heroes of past wars.

The news not only recognises the final brave act of a young Aussie whose story may have otherwise gone untold, it would also be a proud honour for the Royal Australian Navy, which has not been awarded a Victoria Cross in its 100-year history.

Terry Hetherington, manager of the Fleet Air Arm Museum at HMAS Albatross, said the Museum would be following the process with great interest.

“We will provide factual data to the tribunal when and if requested,” said Mr Hetherington.

“Ultimately it would be considered the highest honour to have one of our own recognised with a VC or similar award for distinguished conduct in combat.”

Noel Ervin Shipp was like most of the young Australians sent to Vietnam to work with American soldiers – popular and well liked. Remembered for running the movies at the base cinema, he enjoyed the social interaction the movie house offered.

Shipp was also a tough battle hardened soldier who had been shipped out to Vietnam in 1967 to join the Royal Australian Navy’s Helicopter Flight Vietnam unit integrated into the US Army Assault Helicopter Company. It wasn’t long before the young man found himself hanging out the side of an American Iroquois gunship as a door gunner for a unit dubbed the Taipans, escorting unarmed troop carrying helicopters in and out of battle zones.

On May 31, 1969, US helicopters were picking up troops in Dinh Tuong Province when they came under intense machinegun fire from the ground. Shipp’s aircraft flew in to offer covering fire, blasting the enemy position with rockets and machine guns.
Reports of the incident say that as the battle between the US helicopters and the enemy hiding in the jungle below became more intense Shipp was seen hanging well outside the door of his helicopter allowing effective use his machinegun, at the same time exposing himself to enemy gunfire and the back blast from the side mounted rockets.
During the exchange Shipp’s pilot was fatally wounded and as the gunship rapidly fell toward the jungle the blonde haired Aussie was observed delivering as much fire as possible into the enemy position right up until the moment of impact, when the fiery crash killed all four crew.
Shipp has never received an award for his final act of heroism but now his name has been added to a new list of Navy personnel, past and present, who represent values of honour, honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty.
This honour roll is intended to illustrate the finest qualities of the Navy as the service begins celebrations to mark its 100th anniversary in July.
During the Vietnam War five Royal Australian Navy aviators were killed in action during the helicopter flight’s four-year integration with the US Army 135th Assault Helicopter Company.
The joint unit was officially designated EMU, for Experimental Military Unit. The amusing coincidence that an emu is a native Australian bird, with an inability to fly was not lost on the Australian troops.

This post has been edited by Dave Masterson on May 3 2011, 02:00 PM

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