Austinmer Thirroul RSL Sub-Branch farewells Joe Vezgoff
Austinmer Thirroul RSL Sub-Branch member Joe Vezgoff passed away at age 97, writes sub-branch president Will Lee
By Will Lee, president of Austinmer Thirroul RSL Sub-Branch
Joe Vezgoff, a long-term active member of Austinmer Thirroul RSL Sub-Branch, passed away on 31st December 2025 aged 97.
Joe enlisted in the Army in early 1950 and had Operational Service in Japan, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam and Singapore.
In 1950 Joe was posted to Japan as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force, later that year he was posted to Korea. He fought in the legendary battle of Kapyong, where his unit was awarded the US Presidential Unit Citation for outstanding bravery and at Maryang San where Joe was badly wounded days before he was due to return home, having served over 370 days in the Korean War.
In 1955 Joe was posted to the Australian Army Visitors and Observers Unit Malaya where he served for the next 721 days.
On returning from Malaya in 1957 Joe was posted to 2RAR, The Army Infantry Centre and 1 Recruit Training Battalion, by this time he had been promoted to Warrant Officer Class 2.
In 1962, Joe was one of the first 30 Australians to go to Vietnam with the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam. Joe was in Vietnam for 380 days.
Returning to Australia in 1963, Joe was posted to Office Cadet Training School at Portsea, having been promoted to Warrant Officer Class 1 and then posted to Army Headquarters.
Joe remained on Australian Army Emergency Reserve from June 1970 to June 1977.
Following his military life, Joe worked for BHP at Port Kembla and Westernport Victoria. He was also a very keen artist and well known in the local art world.
