War and decisively beat off an enemy battalion-strength counter-attack. With 317 and The Hinge in friendly hands, the enemy relinquished Hill 217 leaving 287 dead and fifty taken prisoner.Lieutenant Colonel Hassett's conduct and handling of this battalion action was outstanding in every way.

HUGHES, Ronald Lawrence, Lieutenant Colonel (7/2),
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, 1952

During the month in which Lieutenant Colonel Hughes assumed command of 3 RAR, his battalion lost eighteen officers, thirty-eight senior non-commissioned officers and a large number of experienced men due to the rotation policy of the time. As a consequence, the battalion suffered a severe drop in both operational and administrative efficiency. At the same time, 3 RAR assumed responsibility for the most active sector on the brigade front, occupying positions which were not in an advanced state of preparedness, while alterations to the brigade layout necessitated the preparation of several new localities. Enemy activity forward of the battalion area was considerable, shelling was constant and increasing in severity, and torrential rain caused a large proportion of the existing earthworks to collapse.

With great energy and determination, Lieutenant Colonel Hughes set about overcoming these difficulties. Through enlightened leadership, personal example and constant supervision in the course of which he exposed himself to considerable danger almost daily, he returned his battalion to its former level of efficiency. Under his skilful and aggressive leadership, the battalion destroyed company-sized enemy raids before they could reach his forward localities on three occasions, eventually drove the enemy from no-man's land and successfully raided a forward enemy position.

At the conclusion of fourteen weeks in the line, during which his battalion had patrolled vigorously, been subjected to constant shelling and suffered heavy casualties, Lieutenant Colonel Hughes commanded an efficient, battle-worthy unit, with very high morale which faced a subdued enemy. Throughout the period of his command, his conduct was worthy of the highest praise and he did much to maintain and enhance the reputation earned by the battalion during its two years in Korea.

MANN, Adrian Smith, Major (2/285),
1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, 1952

On the night of 10/11 December 1952, Major Mann led his company on a raid deep inside an enemy position. The training, preparation and rehearsal for this raid were carried out with a thoroughness which was characteristic of all Major Mann's work. The raid took place on an intensely cold night and started with an approach march of four hours' duration. Due to Major Mann's excellent leadership and careful planning the company was able to approach within a short distance of the enemy.