SKIPPER, Jack Harold, Lieutenant (5/7012),
28th Commonwealth Brigade (attached RAR), 1952

On the night of 27 August 1952, Lieutenant Skipper commanded a fighting patrol of around thirteen men who were to operate the 'Boot'. As they approached the creek crossing in that area, an enemy patrol was heard moving forward. Lieutenant Skipper withdrew his scouts and took up an ambush on the crossing. As the enemy soldiers attempted to cross, they were engaged and at least five were killed. The patrol was then subjected to enemy fire. Lieutenant Skipper quickly reorganised his patrol and withdrew it from the scene of the action without casualties. On the night of 15/16 November 1952, Lieutenant Skipper commanded a patrol sent out to collect a dead enemy soldier located in the middle of a minefield at Calgary. Knowing the great importance attached to the recovery of this body, he probed the minefield for two hours until he had cleared a path through which he could pull the body. The night was extremely dark and very little information was available concerning the minefield. During this operation he displayed a high degree of bravery and initiative. On the night of 16/17 November 1952, Lieutenant Skipper commanded a patrol which was sent out to secure Calgary, a short time after a standing patrol had been driven back. Lieutenant Skipper conducted a reconnaissance in this area and moved a fighting patrol forward and was attacked by a large enemy party. Having inflicted many casualties and despite being wounded himself, he successfully withdrew his patrol to a new ambush position. Lieutenant Skipper's example and leadership during this action had a great effect on the morale of his company as he was, at that stage, the only remaining platoon commander.

STEWART, James David, Lieutenant (2/35018),
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, 1951

During the attack by 3 RAR against Point 317 in October 1951, Lieutenant Stewart was second-in-command of his signal platoon and was mainly responsible for the line parties. Without hesitation he led line parties through heavy shelling and mortaring to restore and lay lines to forward companies for long hours at a time. The line parties under Lieutenant Stewart worked in constant danger of ambush and were frequently the target of snipers. Lieutenant Stewart's physical endurance and his cheerful acceptance of any task given him irrespective of the danger, were an inspiration to all. From November 1951 onwards, Lieutenant Stewart served as rifle platoon commander. On numerous patrols and under heavy enemy fire, he constantly displayed courage and leadership of a very high order and was an outstanding platoon commander.