Such was his enthusiasm and energy that, within three weeks, his battalion, by skilful, aggressive and determined patrolling, had driven the enemy from no-man's land. When his battalion was relieved two months later, it had launched a successful raid deep into enemy territory, done much to repair and improve the damaged defences, located and fenced a majority of the minefields and destroyed many underground shelters which the enemy had constructed close to friendly positions.

Throughout this period Lieutenant Colonel Austin worked tirelessly to accomplish his task, supervising the work of his battalion under fire and getting little rest. That his battalion responded and gave of its best was largely due to his personal example of leadership, determination and devotion to duty.

FERGUSON, Ian Bruce, Major (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel) (2/37507),
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, 1950

On the night of 23 April, 3 RAR-Lieutenant Colonel Ferguson's battalion-was holding a key defensive position alongside 27 British Commonwealth Brigade. During the night a ROK division withdrew in some disorder thought the brigade positions closely pursued by Chinese troops. In the resulting confusion, Lieutenant Colonel Ferguson's command post was overrun and Ferguson himself temporarily deafened by a mortar blast. Although severely handicapped in exercising his command, Lieutenant Colonel Ferguson remained undeterred and, throughout the next day, when his battalion felt the full brunt of the Chinese attack, he remained master of the situation. He paid frequent visits to his forward companies in a borrowed tank and inspired them to repel every effort to dislodge them, organising several strong counter-attacks.

Late in the afternoon of 24 April, Lieutenant Colonel Ferguson was ordered to withdraw his battalion to fresh positions. Lieutenant Colonel Ferguson organised and conducted this movement with such skill that, although the battalion remained in contact with the enemy, there were no casualties suffered.Throughout the entire action Lieutenant Colonel Ferguson displayed outstanding leadership. This was reflected in the magnificent performance of his battalion which inflicted such significant casualties that the Chinese attack was blunted and halted in this particular sector, despite the enemy forces' great superiority in numbers.

GERKE, Jack, Captain (Temporary Major) (5/400076),
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, 1951

Major Gerke displayed outstanding leadership during the attack on Point 355 on 4 October and again in subsequent actions against Point 317. On 4 October Major Gerke led his company in an attack on feature 172192. This attack and all his subsequent operations were extremely well organised and led. The company secured the feature against strong resistance, suffering one killed and eleven wounded. Casualties inflicted totalled sixteen enemy killed, three taken prisoner and a large number of enemy wounded.