2017 25c Coin - Legends of the Anzacs - MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY

The Medal for Gallantry is awarded to members of the Australian Defence Force for gallant acts under hazardous conditions in operational conflicts including Afghanistan, Iraq, Rwanda and Vietnam. Introduced in 1991, it is one of the top three gallantry decorations in the Australian honours system. The medal has been presented 66 times, including to two recipients of the Victoria Cross for Australia: Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith and Corporal Cameron Baird.

Second Lieutenant Peter Sibree from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) was retrospectively awarded the Medal for Gallantry for a series of actions in South Vietnam in 1965. Over a period of five months, Sibree proved himself to be an outstanding commander with consistent leadership and courage. Throughout July and August 1965, Sibree’s platoon carried out many successful operations against the Viet Cong, including capturing a high-ranking enemy political figure which led to valuable intelligence for the coalition. On another operation, Sibree’s platoon cleared a route down a strategically important road densely sewn with booby traps that had caused a number of casualties to a neighbouring company.