The Battle of Kapyong, fought over three days in April 1951, was one of the significant battles fought during the Korean War. It has given its name to Kapyong Day, 24 April, which has become a special day of remembrance for Australia's Korean War veterans.

On 22 April 1951, the Chinese opened a major offensive across the 38th Parallel in Korea, sweeping aside South Korean units before they confronted battalions of the Commonwealth Brigade - the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.

North of the town of Kapyong, the Australians and the Canadians fought a hard, defensive action which blunted the Chinese offensive.

United States Presidential Unit Citation

GENERAL ORDERS

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, Washington 25, D.C. 19 July, 1951 No. 52

BATTLE HONORS - Citation of Units, Section 1

BATTLE HONORS - As authorized by Executive Order 9396 (Sec, 1, WD Dul, 22, 1943) superseding Executive Order 9075 (Sec III, WD Dul, 11, 1942), citation of the following units is confirmed in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2, Army Regulations, 260-15, in the name of the President of the United States as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction. The citation reads as follows:

3RD, BATTALION, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT

2ND BATTALION, PRINCESS PATRICIA'S CANADIAN LIGHT INFANTRY

COMPANY A, 72ND HEAVY TANK BATTALION (UNITED STATES)

are cited for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of combat duties in action against the armed enemy near Kapyong, Korea, on the 24th and 25th of April, 1951. The enemy had broken through the main line of resistance and penetrated the area north of Kapyong. The units listed above were deployed to stem the assault. Early on the 24th of April, the 3RD ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT, moved to the right flank of the sector and took up defense positions north of the Pukhon River. The 2ND BATTALION, PRINCESS PATRICIA'S CANADIAN LIGHT INFANTRY, defended in the vicinity of Hill 677 on the left flank. COMPANY A, 72ND HEAVY TANK BATTALION, supported all units to the full extent of it's capacity and in addition, kept the main roads open and assisted in evacuating the wounded. Troops from a retreating division passed through the sector which enabled enemy troops to infiltrate with the withdrawing forces. The enemy attacked savagely under the clangor of bugles and trumpets. The forward elements were completely surrounded going through the first day and into the second. Again and again the enemy threw waves of troops at the gallant defenders, and many times succeeded in penetrating the outer defence, but each time the courageous, indomitable and determined soldiers repulsed the fanatical attacks. Ammunition ran low and there was no time for food. Critical supplies were dropped by air to the encircled troops, but still they stood their ground in resolute defiance of the enemy. With serene and indefatigable persistence , the gallant soldiers held their defensive positions and took heavy tolls of the enemy. In some instances when the enemy penetrated the defenses, the commanders directed friendly artillery fire on their own positions in repelling the thrusts. Towards the close of the second day, the 25th of April, the enemy breakthrough had been stopped. The seriousness of the breakthrough on the central front had been changed from defeat to victory be the gallant stand of these heroic and courageous soldiers. The 3RD BATTALION ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT: 2ND BATTALION, PRINCESS PATRICIA'S CANADIAN LIGHT INFANTRY, and COMPANY A, 72ND HEAVY TANK BATTALION, displayed such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing units mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set them apart and above other units participating in the campaign, and by their achievements they have brought distinguished credit on themselves, their homelands, and all freedom-loving nations.

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY

OFFICIAL:

WM. E. BERGIN

Major General, USA

Acting The Adjudant General, and

J. LAWTON COLLINS

Chief of Staff

United States Army

The United States Distinguished Unit Citation, commonly referred to as the Presidential Unit Citation, was awarded for the stand at the Battle of Kapyong, Korea, on the night of the 24/25th of April, 1951.

An emblem, a ribbon of blue, one and three-eights inches wide by one-half inch high, mounted within a rectangular gold wreath frame, is worn on both shoulders of the uniform immediately below the unit shoulder title. The emblem is known as the Distinguished Unit Emblem.