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Text of Citation for award of Mentioned-in-Despatches to Private Raymond A Bourne 1733972
Private Raymond Bourne enlisted in the Regular Army Supplement (National Service) on 7th February 1968 and was allotted to the Royal Australian Infantry. He was posted to 9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment on 18th April 1968 and arrived in Vietnam on 20th November 1968.
In October 1969, Private Bourne was a member of a small detachment from the battalion engaged on a civil aid project in southern Phuoc Tuy Province.
The detachment was based by night at a United States Special Forces training camp.
At 1930 hours on 20th October 1969, a group of Special Force trainees of various nationalities with American instructors left the camp to move to a nearby range for a night firing practice. On entering the range, the party initiated two enemy laid mines which killed three and wounded 21 others, including three Americans.
On hearing the explosion, Private Bourne immediately ran from the camp to the range despite the presence of other mines in the area. With complete disregard for his own safety, he moved amongst the wounded, giving first aid and assisting in their evacuation. By his prompt and courageous action and his skilful first aid, Private Bourne undoubtedly set a fine example and earned the respect of the whole Special Force group.
His conduct reflects great credit on himself and the Australian Army