Happy Birthday - well done those men!

Quite a few of our readers and contributors have worn the Skippy badge of the RAR including:

• John Anon
• Dave McAlpine
• Kevin Otway
• Ralph Blewitt

I'm sure there are plenty more former infantrymen reading this today.

To all of you, thank you for your service.

The Royal Australian Regiment has been at the sharp end of all our major engagements since 1948, including the occupation of Japan, Korean War, Malaya and Borneo, Vietnam War, East Timor, Solomon Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Regiment's battle honours include:

• Korean War: Sariwon, Yongyu, Chongju, Pakchon, Uijeongbu, Chuam-ni, Maehwa-San, Kapyong, Kowang-San, Maryang-San, The Samichon, Korea 1950–53.
• Vietnam War: Long Tan, Bien Hoa, Coral–Balmoral, Hat Dich, Binh Ba, Vietnam 1965–72.

The following battle honours are emblazoned upon each battalion's Regimental Colour:

• Korea 1950–53
• Maryang-San
• Kapyong
• Vietnam 1965–72
• Long Tan
• Coral–Balmoral

4 RAR (Commando) was presented with a Unit Citation for Gallantry (UCG) on 26 October 2007 for operations in Afghanistan. D Company, 6 RAR was belatedly also awarded a UCG on 18 August 2011 for its actions at the Battle of Long Tan.

Foreign military decorations

1, 3 and 6 RAR have all been awarded American military decorations for service alongside US troops. 1 RAR received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for its service in Vietnam. 3 RAR received the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and United States Presidential Unit Citation (formerly the Distinguished Unit Citation)  following the Battle of Kapyong during the Korean War (honours it shares with the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry). D Company 6 RAR also received the Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions during the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam. Although the respective battle honours are borne by the whole regiment, the three citations awarded by the United States are held solely by the battalions that received them, and are displayed as streamers on the regimental colours of those battalions. 8 RAR was awarded the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation for its service during the Vietnam War.

•   United States Presidential Unit Citation
•   Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
•   United States Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
•   South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

UPDATE and PS!

Thanks to our tankie brother-in-arms!