Charles Green (26 December 1919 – 1 November 1950) was an Australian Militia officer who volunteered for overseas service at the start of World War II. He fought in Greece in 1941 and returned to Australia in 1942. From March to July 1945, Green commanded the 2/11th Battalion during the Aitape–Wewak campaign in New Guinea, becoming the youngest Australian infantry battalion commander. For his performance during the campaign, Green was made a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. He later commanded the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (RAR), during the Korean War. The battalion joined UN forces and advanced into North Korea, fighting in the Battles of the Apple Orchard, the Broken Bridge, and Chongju. On 30 October 1950, Green was wounded in the stomach by a shell fragment. Evacuated to hospital, he died of his wounds two days later, aged 30, and was subsequently awarded the US Silver Star. He remains the only commanding officer of a RAR battalion to die on active service.
Charles
Green
(26 December 1919 – 1 November 1950) was an Australian Militia officer who volunteered for overseas service at the
start
of World War II. He fought in Greece in 1941 and returned to Australia in 1942. From March to July 1945,
Green
commanded the 2/11th
Battalion
during the
Aitape
–
Wewak
campaign in New Guinea, becoming the youngest Australian infantry
battalion
commander. For his performance during the campaign,
Green
was made
a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. He later commanded the 3rd
Battalion
, Royal Australian Regiment (RAR), during the Korean War. The
battalion
joined
UN forces and advanced into North Korea, fighting in the Battles of the Apple Orchard, the Broken Bridge, and
Chongju
. On 30 October 1950,
Green
was wounded
in the stomach by a shell fragment. Evacuated to hospital, he
died
of his wounds two days later, aged 30, and was
subsequently
awarded the US Silver Star. He remains the
only
commanding officer of a RAR
battalion
to
die
on active service.