The Warwick G. Cary Collection - Australian Groups

Lot 4713    SESSION 18 (2.30PM FRIDAY 29TH JULY)    The Warwick G. Cary Collection - Australian Groups

Estimate $250
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $420

DISPLAY DFC GROUP OF ELEVEN TO HEROIC RAAF PILOT: Distinguished Flying Cross (EIIR); General Service Medal 1962-2007, - clasp - Borneo; Vietnam Medal 1964-73; USA, Silver Star; Distinguished Flying Cross; Bronze Star with Valour device; Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Republic of Vietnam, Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star; Armed Forces Honour Medal 1st Class; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, - clasp - 1960-. The first three medals and the last medal are copies, Garry Cooper on the fourth to seventh medals all other medals unnamed. The named medals pantograph engraved. A replica set of medals court mounted for display purposes on card background with photo of Flt Lt Cooper, the last eight ribbons with stain marks, otherwise very fine - good extremely fine.

Garry Gordon Cooper, born 21Jan1938 at Adelaide, Sth Aust; Enl.11Mar1960 in RAAF; served in Vietnam 08Apr1968 to 06Jan1969; also served in Borneo, Thailand, and Thai/Malaysia Border; also did overseas duty in Antarctica 1961-62; Disch30Sep1969; became a commercial airline Captain with Ansett Airlines.

Flt Lieut Garry Cooper RAAF, who was operating as a Forward Air Controller serving with the 3rd Brigade, Ninth Infantry Division, was recommended for no less than 13 US awards including one recommendation for a Congressional Medal of Honour. This recommendation was for saving the life of Col Robert E. Archer, CO 2nd Bde, 9th Infy Div after he and the pilot of their Command helicopter were shot and Cooper who was also on board was able to get to the controls and reduce the landing impact of the helicopter. Once on the ground, Cooper was able to get the Colonel into a nearby rice paddy. They were in waist deep water and throughout the night came under attack at different times and Cooper killed at least ten enemy soldiers. In the morning a rescue helicopter arrived, called in the day before by overhead jets who observed the crash. While the Colonel was hoisted aboard the helicopter, Cooper who was now out of ammunition killed two more of the enemy using his empty pistol as a weapon by clubbing them to death. Overall he killed twelve enemy soldiers in these ground engagements.

The Medal of Honour recommendation was made by Commanding Major General Julian J. Ewell to Lt-Col James T. Patrick USAF. Unfortunately regulations did not permit foreign nationals to receive the Medal of Honour so Lt-Col Patrick recommended Cooper for the Bronze Star for Valour with a strong recommendation that the British consider Cooper for their highest recognition, the Victoria Cross. Unfortunately this did not happen and much of the paper work relating to this recommendation disappeared in Australian records. Cooper was awarded a DFC but Maj-Gen Ewell was furious with this outcome and his offer to fly to Australia to give evidence was ignored. Also none of the witnesses for Cooper were allowed to appear before the panel reviewing the award in 2000. Garry Cooper was so highly regarded by the Americans that when Maj-Gen Ewell passed away Cooper was afforded the honour of being the leading pall-bearer. This matter was investigated again between 2011 and 2016 by the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal's inquiry into unresolved recognition for past acts of naval and military gallantry and valour but resulted in a negative outcome.

Garry's wartime experiences can be read in a book he wrote and published in 2006 called, 'Sock it to 'em Baby'.

With basic research as recorded on the Wall Of Honor at the National Air and Space Museum in America.