A Unique US Army Vietnam War Zippo to an ‘Honorary’ Aussie

One of the more unusual pieces in my Vietnam Zippo lighter collection is this 1968 dated US Army 5^th Battalion 27^th Field Artillery Zippo. It was presented to Royal Australian Air Force Warrant Officer Wal Fawkner (2 Squadron) who was recognised as an ‘Honorary Member’ of the unit at Phan Rang Air Force Base in 1969.

Warrant Officer Wallace Michael ‘Wal’ Fawkner was the Australian Senior NCO in charge of the Royal Australian Air Force Airfield Defence Guards of 2 Squadron RAAF stationed at Phan Rang Air Base in II Corps from 04 March 1968 until 05 March 1969.

Unlike their American counterparts, the ADG’s were not Military Police, but light infantry who conducted ambushes, reconnaissance patrols and other activities outside of the base perimeter. At the time of the lighter’s presentation, the US Army 5^th Battalion 27^th Artillery was tasked to provide a fire support coordination element at Phan Rang Air Force Base. This lighter reflects the close co-operation between the Aussies and their American artillery counterparts who were there to provide fire-support when things turned ugly.

A314198 Warrant Officer Wallace Michael ‘Wal’ Fawkner

Born on 6 April 1933, Wallace Michael ‘Wal’ Fawkner was a lifelong military man. He joined the Royal Australian Navy aged 18 in April 1951, serving as a gunner aboard HMAS Australia, Tobruk, Barcoo, and Lonsdale. His naval service included deployments to Korea and Malaya. After leaving the Navy on 6 April 1957, he transitioned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on 8 April 1957, following an unsuccessful bid to join the Victorian Police due to a half-inch height requirement.

Fawkner’s RAAF career spanned diverse postings, including Headquarters Operational Command, 1 Air Trials Unit, Base Squadron Richmond, 2 Squadron Vietnam, and the RAAF Academy, where he completed his service in August 1976. Following retirement, he spent a year with the New Zealand Army, leading the Provost Unit in Waiouru and rewriting their investigation manual. He passed away on 31 December 2019 at the age of 86.

RAAF Air Defence Guards in Vietnam

As early as February 1965, concerns were being raised about the lack of security at Vung Tau airbase and the vulnerability of the RAAF Transport Flight personnel stationed there. Following an investigation into the matter, a decision was made to bolster airfield defence.

However, Squadron Leader Sugden, commanding RAAF Transport Flight at Vung Tau, opposed assigning RAAF personnel to guard duties, advocating instead for employing ADIs or indigenous guards. By April 1965, ADIs were deployed, followed two months later by four general duties airmen who had completed a one-week ground defence course at RAAF Base Richmond.

Deployment of Airfield Defence Guards (ADGs)

By December 1965, RAAF Headquarters approved the establishment of Airfield Defence Guards (ADGs) at Base Support Flight Vung, though training delays postponed their arrival. By September 1966, the first 13 RAAF infantrymen (ADGs) were deployed to Vung Tau.

ADGs initially focused on airfield defence, conducting clearing and reconnaissance patrols as well as establishing ambushes on possible infiltration routes. But soon, discussions arose about expanding their role to include serving as side-door gunners on helicopters. Eventually this duty was officially assigned, and many ADGs served in this capacity for the remainder of the war.

Operations at Vung Tau and Phan Rang

Prior to No. 2 Squadron’s deployment to Phan Rang, Flight Lieutenant R.W. Lyon and 12 ADGs were embedded within the squadron to form a Ground Defence Section. ADGs at both Vung Tau and Phan Rang conducted internal and external patrols, forming Rifle Flights responsible for security operations.

ADGs played a crucial role in preventing enemy incursions and attacks. Their presence also allowed technical airmen in No. 9 Squadron at Vung Tau to focus on aircraft maintenance. Patrolling provided early warnings of Viet Cong movements and deterred enemy attacks. ADGs were often required to engage the enemy directly, conduct ambushes, and gather intelligence through quiet reconnaissance missions.

Impact and Legacy

Between 1964 and 1973, Vietnam airbases endured approximately 475 recorded attacks, leading to 375 aircraft destroyed and 1,170 damaged. Despite their youth—most ADGs were under 21—their service was distinguished and highly effective. Of the 14 RAAF personnel killed in Vietnam, 28% were ADGs, and of the 56 wounded, 27% were ADGs.

The bravery and skill of ADGs and Ground Defence Officers (GDOs) were recognized through numerous honors, including one Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), a British Empire Medal, a Military Medal, four Distinguished Flying Medals, eight Mentioned in Despatches, and one Certificate of Outstanding Service.

The contributions of ADGs in Vietnam underscore their critical role in airfield defence, reconnaissance, and combat operations, making them an integral part of Australia’s military history.

No. 2 Squadron RAAF in Vietnam

Located 260 kilometers northeast of Saigon, Phan Rang was the capital of Ninh Thuan Province and home to a vast airbase covering more than 27 square kilometers. This newly completed facility became the operational hub for No. 2 Squadron RAAF when it arrived from Butterworth, Malaysia, on 19 April 1967.

The “Magpies” of No. 2 Squadron were integrated into the United States Air Force’s 35th Tactical Fighter Wing and were tasked with conducting eight sorties per day, seven days a week, across all regions of South Vietnam. These missions, assigned by HQ 7th Air Force in Saigon, continued until the squadron’s return to Australia in 1971.

From the outset, No. 2 Squadron operated at full capacity. Unlike the 1st Australian Task Force in Phuoc Tuy Province, which conducted independent operations, the squadron was fully integrated into U.S. operations, though its missions were restricted to targets within South Vietnam.

In the first few months, the squadron mainly conducted “combat sky spot” missions, where aircraft were guided to their targets by ground radar. These night-time operations were often repetitive and monotonous. However, in September 1967, No. 2 Squadron shifted to low-level daylight bombing, striking targets from altitudes between 370 and 915 meters. The squadron, already experienced from its missions in Malaya, refined its accuracy to such an extent that it consistently outperformed all other units in the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing.

No. 2 Squadron played a crucial role in numerous significant operations. Its missions spanned from the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in the north to the Mekong Delta in the south. The squadron supported key engagements, including strikes around Hue, assistance during the siege of Khe Sanh in 1968, and the South Vietnamese incursion into Laos in 1971.

Over four years, the squadron completed more than 11,900 combat missions. Remarkably, it lost only two aircraft: one disappeared during a night bombing mission in 1970, with its crew listed as “missing in action,” while the other was shot down by a surface-to-air missile near the DMZ in 1971.

After four years and two months in Vietnam, No. 2 Squadron returned to Australia in June 1971, becoming the first RAAF squadron to withdraw from the conflict. In recognition of its outstanding service, the squadron was awarded two prestigious foreign unit citations: the Cross of Gallantry with Palm from the Republic of Vietnam and the United States Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.