SAVILLE, Bruce, Lance Corporal (Temporary Corporal) (2/4588),
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, 1952

Corporal Saville spent almost six months as a rifle section commander in B Company, 3 RAR. He consistently displayed outstanding qualities of initiative and determination during this time, especially on the many occasions he commanded or was a member of patrols against the enemy. He particularly distinguished himself on the night of 13/14 August 1952 when, as part of an attack by B Company against Point 75, he led his section with outstanding dash and vigour under heavy fire against the enemy. Despite the fact that he was wounded during this action, he refused to be evacuated, preferring to remain and supervise the evacuation of the other casualties. Again, on the night of 28/29 September 1952, he commanded a small patrol of three men whose task it was to lure the enemy into an ambush position occupied by a bigger patrol. He successfully made contact with the enemy, which was later estimated to be of company strength and, having made sufficient noise to attract their attention, he led them towards the ambush. However, having passed through the ambush patrol he saw that the enemy would pass too far to the south of the ambush site. Accordingly, he went forward again and, by deliberately exposing himself to enemy fire, he drew them successfully into the ambush, albeit at great personal risk. This non-commissioned officer's initiative and courage on this latter occasion were largely responsible for the success of the action in which very heavy casualties were inflicted on an enemy company, denying it the opportunity to attack friendly forward localities. Corporal Saville's behaviour on these two occasions exemplified the high standard of courage and devotion to duty he maintained as section commander and patrol leader throughout his tour.

SMITH, Ronald Francis Alfred, Private (3/400223),
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

Private Smith was a member of 8 Section, 12 Platoon, on the extreme right flank of the company position. He occupied a position on the right flank of the section during continuous enemy attacks of platoon strength on his section's position. This position bore the brunt of the main enemy assault each time they attacked and on each occasion the section repulsed the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties. During these attacks Private Smith was wounded, yet he endeavoured to remain on duty assisting his section leader until his injury led to his own evacuation. Private Smith showed outstanding courage of a very high order and was an inspiration to the remainder of his hard-pressed section.