28 April 2025
On October 19, 1968, in the dense jungle of northern Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam, 2 Platoon had just set an ambush along a track during Operation Capital.
A lone enemy soldier compromised their position, and as the section moved to redeploy, they were suddenly engaged by sustained rocket, heavy machine gun and automatic fire from their flank.
Amid the chaos, their section commander was seriously wounded.
A young private unhesitatingly exposed himself to accurate small arms fire to rescue a seriously wounded member of the gun group. Despite being wounded, he took command and led the section away from a heavily defended North Vietnamese Army bunker system.
The actions of that young private, Kevin Booth, reflect the spirit honoured on Anzac Day – a willingness to put others before self, to step up in the face of adversity, and to lead when leadership is needed most.
Mr Booth’s grandson, Lieutenant Kaleb Booth, serves as an amphibious troop commander in the 10th Force Support Battalion.
Lieutenant Booth returned to his home state of Western Australia to march beside his grandfather in the Mandurah Returned and Services League (RSL) parade.
“This will be my first Anzac Day back home since I joined the Army five years ago,” Lieutenant Booth said.
“It feels very nostalgic – I remember walking around that RSL with my grandfather and other veterans when I was seven years old. Now I’m returning in uniform.
“It feels quite special to march beside my grandfather and other veterans. Especially now that we have a shared experience with our service – it’s brought us even closer.”
Retiring at the rank of Lance Corporal, Mr Booth was awarded the Military Medal for serving during the Vietnam War.
Mr Booth was parade commander for the Mandurah RSL Anzac Day parade this year.
“Marching in Anzac parades for me is my way of honouring all servicemen and women who died in defence of Australia and for other countries who needed help to maintain their freedom,” Mr Booth said.
“Anzac Day serves as a reminder to the general public that freedom does not come without a price.
“It is a great honour to be marching with my eldest grandson – he carries on our family’s legacy in serving Australia.
“It is very important that my grandson’s generation participates in Anzac Day, not only as veterans, but civilians as well. I believe it helps to instil a sense of pride in our country.”
