Charles Peter Yacopetti MC MID

Charles Peter Yacopetti MC MID

2003
Personal Information
Date of Birth	27 Sep 1929
Place of Birth	Reggio, Calabria, Italy
Occupation	Student
Address	Mundaring, Western Australia
Military Information
Reg Number	57013
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit/Formation	3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment
Post War Details
Fate	POW 26 May 1953
Monument(s)	Ballarat POW Memorial
Medals	Military Cross Mentioned in Despatches Korea Medal United Nations Service Medal for Korea Australian Service Medal 1945-75 Vietnam Medal

War Service

Lieutenant Yacopetti commanded a rifle platoon from November 1952 until he was declared missing in action on 26 May 1953. During this time he earned an outstanding reputation as a skilful and fearless leader and one who, by his desire to come to grips with the enemy, could be relied on to inflict heavy casualties on any enemy with whom his patrols made contact. Lieutenant Yacopetti led twenty fighting and reconnaissance patrols and his courage and coolness under fire, his aggressive outlook and concern for the welfare of those under his command are typified in the patrol action from which he did not return. On the night of 25/26 May 1953, Lieutenant Yacopetti commanded a fighting patrol of seventeen men which was attacked at close quarters by three groups of the enemy, each of approximately twenty men. During the first part of the action, in which he displayed great coolness and courage, Lieutenant Yacopetti's patrol, under his leadership, fought off and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, despite the fact that he himself was wounded soon after the beginning of the action. Shortly afterwards a further fierce assault was launched by the enemy. Despite the fact that his patrol had suffered heavy casualties and he himself had been wounded for the second time and was unable to move, Lieutenant Yacopetti again skilfully controlled his patrol's fire during this attack, this time dispersing the enemy. When the patrol was finally ordered to withdraw, he ordered that the other wounded men be evacuated first. Because of his decision, all except two of the wounded, of which one was Lieutenant Yacopetti, could be evacuated before the enemy again attacked and overran the area. Notwithstanding several searches late into the night, Lieutenant Yacopetti could not be found.

Lt Charles Yacopetti Addressing Troops on Hill 355 (“Little Gibraltar”) University of NSW https://australiansatwarfilmarchive.unsw.edu.au/archive/578 1953 From 27 Sep until 2 Oct 1966 Charles visited Vietnam as a Major. Charles retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Award Comment

"An act of gallantry and devotion of duty during operations in Korea" London gazette24 Nov 1953: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 26 Nov 1953.

Presented to Charles by the Queen at Government House Perth on 27 Mar 1954 while Charles was serving with 17 National Service Training Battalon at Swanbourne.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1968 soldier with Barbara at 2 Little Gibraltar road, Karrakatta; 1972 soldier at 13 Dumaresq street, Dickson ACT; 1977 - 1980 public servant at 12 Parer street Scullin, ACT; 2000's south coast NSW.

Notes

Lt Col Yacopetti travelled to Armadale from New South Wales to be present at the dedication of the Gerald William Russell Reserve in Hilbert.

External Links

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