Victoria Cross for Australia : Corporal C S Baird, 2 Commando Regiment, Australian Army

Place Asia: Afghanistan, Uruzgan Province
Accession Number OL00649.001
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Award
Location Main Bld: Hall of Valour: Main Hall: Afghanistan
Maker Hancocks
Place made United Kingdom
Date made c 2014
Conflict Afghanistan, 2001-2021
Description

Victoria Cross for Australia. Engraved reverse suspender with recipient's details; reverse cross with date of action.

History / Summary

Tasmanian-born Cameron Stewart Baird joined the Australian Army as an 18-year-old in 2000. Posted to the 4th Battalion (Commando), Royal Australian Regiment (now 2nd Commando Regiment), he served in East Timor and Iraq and was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his actions in Afghanistan in 2007.

Baird’s Victoria Cross action occurred in 2013, during his fourth tour of Afghanistan. During an operation to disrupt an insurgent network, Baird repeatedly charged enemy positions and with "bullets striking the ground around him" drew fire to allow his team to regain the initiative that had been lost shortly after insertion. While engaged in close-quarter fighting within the enemy compound, Baird was killed by small-arms fire just as the advantage was regained. The citation for the award reads:

'For the most conspicuous acts of valour, extreme devotion to duty and ultimate self-sacrifice at Ghawchak village, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, as a Commando Team Commander in Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER.

Corporal Cameron Baird enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in 2000, was discharged in 2004, and re-enlisted in 2006. In both periods of service, he was assigned to the 4th Battalion (Commando), Royal Australian Regiment. His operational service includes Operations TANAGER, FALCONER, BASTILLE and four tours on Operation SLIPPER. He was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan in 2007–08.

On 22 June 2013, a commando platoon of the Special Operations Task Group, with partners from the Afghan National Security Forces, conducted a helicopter assault into Ghawchak village, Uruzgan province, in order to attack an insurgent network deep within enemy-held territory.

Shortly after insertion, Corporal Baird’s team was engaged by small arms fire from several enemy positions. Corporal Baird quickly seized the initiative, leading his team to neutralise the positions, killing six enemy combatants and enabling the assault to continue.

Soon afterwards, an adjacent Special Operations Task Group team came under heavy enemy fire, resulting in its commander being seriously wounded. Without hesitation, Corporal Baird led his team to provide support. En route, he and his team were engaged by rifle and machine gun fire from prepared enemy positions. With complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Baird charged towards the enemy positions, supported by his team. On nearing the positions, he and his team were engaged by additional enemy on their flank. Instinctively, Corporal Baird neutralised the new threat with grenades and rifle fire, enabling his team to close with the prepared position. With the prepared position now isolated, Corporal Baird manoeuvred and was engaged by enemy machine-gun fire, the bullets striking the ground around him. Displaying great valour, he drew the fire, moved to cover, and suppressed the enemy machine gun position. This action enabled his team to close on the entrance to the prepared position, thus regaining the initiative.

On three separate occasions Corporal Baird charged an enemy-held building within the prepared compound. On the first occasion he charged the door to the building, followed by another team member. Despite being totally exposed and immediately engaged by enemy fire, Corporal Baird pushed forward while firing into the building. Now in the closest proximity to the enemy, he was forced to withdraw when his rifle ceased to function. On rectifying his rifle stoppage, and reallocating remaining ammunition within his team, Corporal Baird again advanced towards the door of the building, once more under heavy fire. He engaged the enemy through the door but was unable to suppress the position and took cover to reload. For a third time, Corporal Baird selflessly drew enemy fire away from his team and assaulted the doorway. Enemy fire was seen to strike the ground and compound walls around Corporal Baird, before visibility was obscured by dust and smoke. In this third attempt, the enemy was neutralised and the advantage was regained, but Corporal Baird was killed in the effort.

Corporal Baird’s acts of valour and self-sacrifice regained the initiative and preserved the lives of his team members. His actions were of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.'

This was the first instance of a posthumous award of the Victoria Cross for Australia, and the first Victoria Cross to a member of an Australian commando unit. In 2014, Baird was also posthumously awarded NATO's highest honour, the Meritorious Service Medal.

Baird’s Victoria Cross is accompanied by the Medal for Gallantry, the Australian Active Service medal, service medals for Afghanistan and Iraq, the Australian Service Medal, the Australian Defence Medal, and UN and NATO medals.