Branch of Service

Army

Conflict

Vietnam (1962-1975)

Date of Enlistment

15/03/1967

Gender

Male

Date of Birth

25/09/1947

Place of Birth

Melbourne, Victoria

Address (at enlistment)

Stonehaven Crescent, Deakin ACT

Occupation

Soldier

Next of Kin

James and Lesley Ochiltree (parents), Stonehaven Crescent, Deakin ACT

Service Number

39324

Final Rank

Lance Corporal

Final Unit

9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

Military Medal (Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, 2 April 1970, page 2055, position 42)

Ochiltree was the son of an army officer and in 1966 was selected to attend the Officer Cadet School at Portsea. He served in Vietnam from 13 November 1968 until 12 August 1969 but was wounded in July 1969 in Long Khanh province. The AWM image shows Ochiltree at Horseshoe Hill in Vietnam, shortly before he was wounded, radioing in his position to company headquarters. He was involved in training South Vietnamese soldiers.

Ochiltree's unit was involved in Operation Goodwood in February 1969 in the Long Thanh district of Bien Hoa Province where he earned the Military Medal. The citation for the Military Medal states: "On 14th February, 1969, 8 Platoon, C Company contacted a large enemy force in bunkers. The leading section was pinned down by low accurate fire from three sides. Lance Corporal Ochiltree and two other soldiers moved forward from a rear section to within 20 metres of the enemy where, for a period of 90 minutes, they engaged the enemy positions in spite of the intense fire directed against them. Lance Corporal Ochiltree's control of fire was so effective that it silenced an enemy machine gun, killing the crew and enabling the pinned-down section to withdraw without casualties.

On 19th July, 1969, Lance Corporal Ochiltree's section was ambushed by a large group of enemy in prepared positions. Several casualties were sustained, including the forward scout. Lance Corporal Ochiltree moved forward through 30 metres of intense fire in order to assist the scout, but was driven back. Some minutes later, he again went forward to the scout's position. The enemy once more concentrated their fire on him and he was hit in the arm and the hip. Again he was forced to withdraw. After receiving first aid for his wounds, he was preparing to make a third attempt to reach the scout, but was ordered not to do so. In his many actions against the enemy, Lance Corporal Ochiltree has always shown resourcefulness and courage of a high order. His outstanding bravery in twice at tempting to save the life of his scout in spite of the obvious danger, reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in the best traditions of the Australian Army."

He stayed in the army after the war, rising to the rank of Captain. By 1984 he had returned to Canberra, living in Hughes and working in real estate.

Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans http://www.vietnamroll.gov.au
ACT Electoral Rolls 1916 to 1967 http://canberraheritageportal.org/default.php
AWM Collection Record: COM/69/0458/VN
AWM Collection Record: F04264
http://www.9rar.org.au
The Canberra Times - 20 January 1966, 21 July 1969, 24 March 1970, 16 August 1994