The Intrepid Lt. James Collier Buchanan
Many Americans think that, besides the occasional assistance of some random ARVN forces, we fought on our own in Vietnam during the 60s and 70s. Well there were actually thousands of allied feet on the ground including ROK troops ( to be more correct), a contingent from the Republic of China, Laotians, Cambodians, Thais, Nung mercenaries, Spaniards, Filipinos, Kiwis, and Australians. In fact, Westmoreland even asked that as many as eight battalions of UK Gurkhas be deployed there and the idea was seriously looked into before being shitcanned.
Between 1964-70 upto 7,700 Aussies at a time served in South Vietnam. One of these was Royal Australian Navy Lt. James Buchanan. Assigned to RAN Helicopter Flight, RVN, he was a highly skilled UH-1 pilot.
According to the official record:
“On 4 December 1970 Buchanan performed an extraordinary act of flying skill while operating in the U Minh Forest area. While engaged in the medical evacuation of a wounded crewmember from a South Vietnamese patrol boat the group came under heavy attack, with another patrol boat, 50 metres away, exploding following a direct hit from an enemy rocket. Realising that the boat with which he was operating was disabled and drifting towards the enemy-held shore he pressed the skids of his helicopter onto the deck of the vessel and manoeuvred his aircraft to push the boat to safety. All the while, his aircraft was receiving heavy automatic weapons and 82mm mortar fire. For his coolness, determination and courage under fire in the face of a determined enemy, Buchanan was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.”
Lieutenant James Buchanan’s heroic action painted by David Marshall
Hi Chris? Fascinated to see your article. I am the Jim Buchanan involved; one of my daughters belatedly drew my attention to your post. The rambling reason for this response is that subsequent to the Vietnam war, I spent more time overseas, on postings and travel, to Cornwall (with Brit navy); Indonesia (Indon navy); Thailand; Burma; Malaysia, Solomon Islands etc than I spent in Australia. I was dismayed a few years ago to hear that one of the American survivors from the patrol boat incident on the Mekong, Dec 1970, had visited Australia, to tour and also try to touch base with me: unfortunately I think I was in Hong Kong at the time and by the time I heard, years later, nobody could remember the name of the survivor. Do you have any ideas of how I might be able to track him down?
Persevere.
Jim Buchanan ex-RAN/EMU(35th AHC Experimental Military Unit) etc
Hi James – good to see your name after all this time: I hope you’re well and enjoying life. Best wishes from Jemal and Bevan – now in southern NSW.