Australian Who Led Marines in Vietnam Awarded
Apr 23, 2014 | by Cpl. James Gulliver
ROBERTSON BARRACKS, Northern Territory, Australia – Lieutenant Gen. Terry Robling, commanding general, Marine Corps Forces Pacific, visited the Marines of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin in order to present a Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device to Brig. Michael Harris during an award ceremony, here, April 22, 2014.
Both Marines and Australian Soldiers with the 1st Brigade, marched onto the field in perfect order and awaited the start of the ceremony.
“The Australian’s and the United States share many common interests both as nations and as people,” said Gen. Robling. “Today we are here to honor an Australian that served next to us as one of our own.”
Harris served as commanding officer of Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. He was the first non-American to lead Marines in combat during the Vietnam War.
“It is a great honor for me to receive this medal today,” said Harris. “It represents the hard work, the perseverance and the desire to close with the enemy of all the Marines in Delta Co.”
Throughout his speech to the Marines, Harris told stories of his actions in Vietnam and the heroics performed by his Marines.
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