Fraser Maxwell Gibson was born in Melbourne on 21 March 1947, the older brother to Fergus and Guy.
Fraser graduated with his class on 21 December 1967. He was allocated to the Royal Australian Engineers and posted to the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion at Puckapunyal while awaiting Basic Flying Training School. From 8 October 1968 until 12 January 1969, Fraser was attached to 69 GL Section in Eastern Command. He commenced BFTS with Course 1 at Point Cook, Melbourne, on 13 January 1969 followed by Operational Conversion Course 4/69 (RW) with the Aviation Training Squadron, 1 Aviation Regiment, at RAAF Amberley on 14 July. Fraser married Gayle in 1968 and the couple had a daughter Gabrielle and later a grandson Fraser.
On completion of his flying training Faser was posted to 171 Air Cavalry Flight on 2 December 1969. Fraser flew with 161 Independent Flight in Vietnam from 10 September 1970 until 9 September 1971, being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The 161 (Indep) Recce Flight Association website has the story behind Fraser’s award.
On the 21 December 1970, Second Lieutenant Gibson was tasked to direct artillery fire onto a target in the Long Hai mountains, an area in which the enemy is known to engage all aircraft in range of his weapons. During the subsequent low level damage assessment of the target 2nd Lieutenant Gibson noticed another possible enemy location nearby. Knowing very well the dangers involved, Gibson immediately commenced a reconnaissance at tree top height in an effort to locate any enemy in the area. During the reconnaissance the aircraft was engaged by the enemy and received a number of hits from a sustained burst of machine gun fire. Although the aircraft was extensively damaged, Gibson was able to land it in a safe area thereby preventing further damage.
On the 3 March 1971, Gibson was flying a Sioux helicopter in direct support of 3 RAR. During the afternoon, after initiating a contact with a superior enemy force, a platoon called for maximum fire support to extract themselves from a dangerous situation. In order to mark its location to supporting arms the platoon requested that additional smoke marker grenades be dropped into its position.
Whilst Gibson flew his unarmed aircraft low over the contact area in an effort to drop smoke grenades to the platoon his aircraft was hit in the engine and cockpit area by ground fire. With great skill and determination Gibson was able to land the aircraft in a safe area thereby saving his passenger from injury.
In carrying out his task as a helicopter reconnaissance pilot Gibson has displayed an extremely high order of determination and aggressiveness which has enabled him to consistently obtain valuable information on enemy movement and installations. His personal courage, determination and enthusiasm were at all times evident in the eight hundred hours of flying support he provided to ground forces. His conduct has been an inspiration to the other pilots of the unit and brings great credit upon himself, his Regiment and the Australian Army.’
On 29 May 1972 Fraser was posted to 182 Recce Flight. At the expiry of his five year Short Service Commission Fraser discharged from the Army.
Fraser Gibson passed away peacefully at East Melbourne on 15 March 2023. It was Fraser’s wishes for a private service and burial. May your last flight be peaceful, you were a kind, courageous man, and a true gentleman.
Michael Hewitt-Gleeson (3/67) wrote: Fraser Gibson, Terry Hayes (both SVN DFCs) and I were close Scheyville mates. We did leave weekends at the Coogee Bay Hotel when we were able. We all shared a similar sense of humour. I last saw Fraser at Terry Hayes memorial service at the Southport Yacht Club in 2019.