2023 ANZAC Day

Private Dayle Morrison

2nd Battalion, 2RAR
Service Number: 1732186
1945-1968

Private Dayle Morrison was assigned to B Company 2RAR for Operation COBURG (24th January to 14th February 1968). This period is now known as TET 68. Operation COBURG was a Task Force operation, which took place around the border between Bien Hoa and Lon Kanh Province, northwest of Phouc Tuy Province. The aim of the operation was to deny Viet Cong (VC) access to the area and to sites from which they could direct rocket fire into the complexes of Long Bien and Bien Hoa (major US bases). Private Dayle Morrison had been a clerk in Battalion Headquarters (Bn HQ) and had frequently requested to be allowed to accompany a rifle company on operations to give him the opportunity to exercise his Infantry skills. In this first phase of the operation, on 6th January 1968, B Company fought through an enemy camp, believed to be occupied by about 25 VC, in an action that lasted about 2 hours. 2 VC were found dead in the camp and there were several blood trails and drag marks indicating that the VC had suffered several other casualties. B Company sustained 1 x KIA (Morrison), and 2 x WIA, one of whom later died. This was the second day of the operation.