 Meanwhile , even as the battle had continued the evacuation of the Australian casualties had begun , with a number of Iroquois helicopters from No. 9 Squadron , Royal Australian Air Force ( RAAF ) under Squadron Leader Jim Cox , flying through heavy ground fire to complete the dust @-@ off . Hindered by artillery fire and the dense foliage the operation proved difficult and Cox 's aircraft was hit by heavy machine @-@ gun fire , wounding him and an orderly on board . Safely landing the damaged aircraft he then directed the operation by radio from the ground . Among the worst of the casualties was Sergeant Alexander Sutherland , from 2 Platoon . Losing an eye and suffering heavy blood loss from multiple shrapnel wounds after a Viet Cong rocket exploded within a metre of him , he was evacuated to 8 Field Ambulance in Vung Tau with no pulse . His left leg later amputated , his wounds were so bad he had to be given a general anaesthetic each time his bandages were changed . Making a miraculous recovery however , he was personally recommended for the US Medal of Honor by Westmoreland for his resolute spirit , although this was later reduced to a lesser Australian award . Many casualties were beyond help however , and the battalion chaplain was inserted by winch from a helicopter to administer last rites . 
