Stafford honours Warrant Officer Keith Payne VC, Australia’s most decorated living war hero. Renowned for his bravery during the Vietnam War, he earned the Victoria Cross after saving his comrades under intense enemy fire.
From Enoggera to Stafford: A Legacy of Courage
Warrant Officer Keith Payne VC, AM, is celebrated as Australia’s most decorated war hero. Born in Ingham, Queensland, he worked as a cabinet maker before enlisting in the Australian Army in 1951. He trained at Enoggera Barracks and served in conflicts worldwide. Later, he settled in Stafford.
Photo Credit: Australian at War Film Archive
His military career spanned over two decades, including service in the Korean War, the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, and the Vietnam War. His commitment to duty and his comrades marked him as a dedicated soldier.
A Night of Bravery in Vietnam
On 24 May 1969, near Ben Het Camp, Vietnam, Warrant Officer Payne, commanding the 212th Company of the 1st Mobile Strike Force Battalion, faced heavy enemy fire. The battalion consisted of approximately 300 indigenous soldiers known as Montagnards, along with Australian and US Special Forces. They were attacked by between 1,200 and 3,000 North Vietnamese Army personnel.
Despite being heavily outnumbered, Warrant Officer Payne held off the enemy. He alternated between firing his weapon and collecting grenades to throw at advancing forces. He suffered from shrapnel wounds to his hands, arms, and head, but he continued to fight. At one point, a large splinter from a rocket-propelled grenade lodged in his scalp. Still, Warrant Officer Payne persisted despite bleeding heavily.
When his rifle became unusable due to a piece of shrapnel lodging in the magazine housing, Warrant Officer Payne discarded it. He picked up another weapon to continue the fight. Throughout the chaotic battle, he ventured beyond the defensive perimeter. He kept rescuing isolated and wounded soldiers, spending three hours crawling through enemy-held jungle. In the darkness, he found and brought back about 40 soldiers to safety.
Photo Credit: Australian at War Film Archive
For his heroic actions, Warrant Officer Keith Payne received the Victoria Cross, the highest honour for gallantry. He remains Australia’s most decorated living hero, also receiving the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star from the United States, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star.
Warrant Officer Payne was presented with the Victoria Cross by Queen Elizabeth II aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia and also received the Keys to the City of Brisbane from then Lord Mayor Clem Jones.
Photo Credit: State Library Queensland
A Life of Service Beyond the Battlefield
After his military service, Warrant Officer Payne became an instructor at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1970. He retired from the Army in 1975 but continued serving as a captain in the Sultan of Oman’s Royal Army during the Dhofar War (1975–1976).
Back in Australia, he supported the veteran community, focusing on those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). His dedication to veterans’ welfare led to the naming of the mental health ward the Keith Payne Unit at Greenslopes Private Hospital in Brisbane. In 2012, he became a Patron of the Victoria Cross Trust, advocating for the preservation of VC recipients’ stories.
Photo Credit: Australian at War Film Archive
Warrant Officer Payne and his wife, Florence Plaw, raised five sons and live in Mackay, Queensland. He received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2006 for his work with veterans, while Florence was honoured in 2011 for her community contributions in surf lifesaving and support for veterans’ families. In 2015, Warrant Officer Payne became a Member of the Order of Australia.
Ongoing Recognition and Dedication
Photo Credit: State Library Queensland
Warrant Officer Keith Payne’s legacy remains significant as a war hero and community advocate. He has continued representing the veteran community in recent years. Warrant Officer Payne attended Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in 2022 and represented VC recipients at the 2023 Coronation. His presence at these events highlights his commitment to honouring service and sacrifice.
The Stafford community continues to celebrate his contributions, with a local park named in his honour. As ANZAC Day on 25 April approaches, the community reflects on his enduring commitment to country and veterans. His story remains a powerful reminder of courage, sacrifice, and dedication.
Published 8-Apr-2025