Dubbed 'the galloping major' in the Vietnam war, Major Peter Badcoe was always on the go, repeatedly performing extraordinary feats.
"He lived and died a soldier," said Gillian Smith of her uncle whose acts of courage under fire earned him the Victoria Cross, the military’s highest honour for bravery.
"We are very proud of him, and when it comes to Anzac Day, it’s always very poignant because it falls not that long after he died."
This year marks the 55th anniversary of Major Badcoe’s death, and the 18th year that the medal named in his honour is awarded to the player who best demonstrates the Anzac spirit in Port Adelaide’s cherished Anzac Round clash.
The club will take on West Coast at 4.05pm today.
Major Badcoe was killed in action on April 7, 1967, from a burst of enemy fire as he rose to throw a grenade while conducting operations in the Huong Tra District.
"Everybody is very proud of him. When you read what he did, it was remarkable," Gillian said.
Three actions over consecutive months led to Major Badcoe’s Victoria Cross.
He disregarded his own safety to rescue an American serviceman and retrieve the body of another, and shortly after, was part of a counterattack against Viet Cong soldiers.
"A month later, he stood up in his red beret which identified him as a leader and unfortunately led to him being killed," Gillian said.
"To me, the Victoria Cross is the ultimate award that any soldier can be given, so to have that in our family is huge."
Gillian will attend today’s game at Adelaide Oval with her sister Carol Brailey and brother John Kelton.
Together they will present the Peter Badcoe VC Medal to the player whose conduct and play during the game exemplifies the qualities of skill, courage in adversity, self-sacrifice, teamwork and fair play.
The most prolific winner is three-time recipient Travis Boak.
"He would have been very humbled; he wasn’t a person that liked a lot of attention," Gillian said of what Badcoe would make of the medal.
She said she often drew strength from his leadership and valour which was an inspiration to the entire family.
Port Adelaide’s players will pay tribute to service men and women past and present by wearing special Anzac Round guernseys, inspired by club legend and national war hero, Bob Quinn. The match-worn guernseys will be auctioned post-game with all proceeds going towards the RSL’s ANZAC Appeal.
Those wishing to support the ANZAC Appeal can also do so by online donation at anzacappeal.com.au
