Focus: The Accidental Hero

FOCUS: Every now and then, we focus on a fellow shedder and see what the’ve been up to and learn a little about our mates. Contact Jeremy, Manie or Don to get your story told.

It is with great sadness that in this year, the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, we must sadly announce the passing of Cfn Robert 'Bob' Service soldier and War hero. He was a hero in War and a hero in life. He was a hero to his family, his friends and to all of those who he worked tirelessly to help. This is part of his story.

The Accidental Hero

On the 18th of August 1966 at the ambush at Long Tan, destiny came calling for Bob Service. His courage, above and beyond the call of duty saved the lives of hundreds of Australian 'diggers' and reversed the course of history in the battle of Long Tan from imminent defeat to a resounding victory.

On that day at the Aussie Base called Nui Dat in the province of PhuocTuy, the camp was in high spirits as Australian entertainers Col Joy and Little Pattie were preparing to entertain the troops. 

Unknown to everyone, including 'Intelligence' the Viet Cong had successfully advanced 2 000 troops down the Ho Chi Minh Trail through Laos and Cambodia using the cover of darkness, the jungle canopy, and the teeming Monsoon rains to camouflage their advance. Their orders were to wipe out the newly built Aussie base at Nui Dat and eradicate the Australian influence in the area.

In a rubber plantation outside of the village of Long Tan the Viet Cong collided with an Aussie patrol, "D" company numbering only 108 soldiers. Though hopelessly outnumbered the Aussies engaged the Viet Cong in a desperate battle to hold out until support could be redirected. The pounding from mortar shells and the barking of Russian designed AK-47's assault rifles confirmed for "D" company with no support and their mounting casualties they were looking down the barrel of total annihilation.

As ammunition rapidly depleted, distress calls were being frantically radioed through to HQ but with no results.

Catastrophe followed disaster. No ground support was available, as two other platoons were also pinned down and under heavy fire. As well the American aircraft ordered to bomb the enemy were blinded by teeming monsoonal rains and we're unable to differentiate between the battle lines in the rubber plantation. Unable to assist they had to drop their ordinance harmlessly, away from the battle.

In the chaos two Bell helicopters were seconded and group of admin officers, who were enjoying and afternoon drink were ordered to load ammunition boxes onto the helicopters to replenish the troops.  

 Among this group was Craftsman, Cfn Bob Service who was neither airman nor foot soldier but an armourer, whose job it was to fix weapons and machines.

Then there were more problems. The boxes had to be divided up, wrapped in blankets ready to be jettisoned to the beleaguered soldiers who were pinned helplessly under a hail of bullets and mortar. 

In the teeming rain the ammunition couldn't just be dropped out into the sticky red mud as it would jam the firing mechanisms. A Sargent arrived with piles of blankets and Bob began helping wrap the ammunition in the blankets.

When the helicopter hurled itself into the air towards the battle, Bob Service was still onboard and still wrapping ammunition.

Amidst the maelstrom of flashing lightning, incessant gunfire and the whistle of mortars exploding around them, Bob was naturally petrified and his his initial desire was to get off the helicopter at his first opportunity. However, it became evident that there was no other support and they were the only means to replenish the ammunition and save the lives of his mates. They were sitting ducks as the were only able to fly at treetop height because of visibility. All around him the explosions were so close that anyone of them could cause the helicopter to explode. He could see the trace of the bullets as they slowed in their upward trajectory and hear the ping of them bouncing off metal. How is it that in such a hail of gunfire they hadn't been blown out of the sky? Eventually his mind calmed as he reasoned that if it hadn't already happened then it mustn't be his day to die and he continued frantically wrapping ammunition.

Finally on their return to base they reloaded the chopper and he was greatly relieved to be ordered off the 'flying coffin' and a regular airman was ordered on. Bob saw the colour drain from the young man's face. He was rigid with fear and could not move even though orders were being barked at him. He was only nineteen. He stood frozen with fear. There was no time to lose.

'PROP CLEAR' Bob yelled and the helicopter lurched forward and off into the fray with Bob still wrapping the precious cargo. The battle raged on until troop carriers arrived and the Viet Cong retreated into the jungle. The base and the majority of it's soldiers had been saved. 

Australian casualties numbered 17 dead mostly from "D" company. It should of been hundreds except for the bravery of the airman in the helicopters and one stranger Cfn Robert 'Bob' Service who risked his life to save others. 

"No greater deed can a man do than be prepared to lay down his life for a friend". John 15:13

While others were awarded medals and honours, Bob was not recognised for his bravery because he was not air corps. However he carried in his heart as his badges, the lives of the hundreds of soldiers that were saved. 

After the war he was employed working on Bell helicopters in Brisbane. He was a loving husband and father. He became a scout leader while his sons attended and when he became an empty nester he joined the Wynnum Manly and District Men's Shed where he served his community until his passing.

Farewell Cfn Robert 'Bob' Service. Yours was a life well lived.