Keith Payne VC (b. August 30 1933, Ingham, Queensland) is an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Keith was 35 years old, and a Warrant Officer II in the Australian Army Training Team, Australian Forces, Vietnam during the Vietnam War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 24 May 1969 at Ben Het in Kon Tum Province, Warrant Officer Class Two Payne showed outstanding courage and leadership in saving the lives of many of the soldiers under his command, leading his men to safety under most difficult circumstances after an attack by the enemy in superior strength.

He is a living recipient and is featured on an Australian postage stamp.

References

• Legion of Frontiersmen
• The Last Eleven? (Mark Adkin, 1991)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

• Australia Command
• WOII K. PAYNE, VC (biography plus detailed action account)
• Warrant Officer Class 2 Keith Payne, VC (part of Who’s who in Australian Military History)
• Australians At War Film Archive Detailed interview with Keith Payne. VC incident towards the end.)

This page has been WikiProject Victoria Cross Reference Migration from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.

1933 births | Living people | Australian Army soldiers | Australian Victoria Cross recipients | People from Queensland | Vietnam War veterans