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No One Left Behind
From the battlefields of Korea, Malaya and Vietnam to the struggle for veterans' welfare, Keith Payne has never shied away from a fight. More than 50 years ago, this bravery saw him receive the Commonwealth's highest military honour - the Victoria Cross.
Keith grew up one of thirteen children in the shadow of the Great Depression and the Second World War. After seeing his father come home wounded from war, Keith joined the army. He was sent to fight in Korea at just 18 years old, the bloody beginning to decades of military service across the world.
Keith's life was defined by one night in 1969. In the dark jungle of Vietnam, under heavy enemy fire, Keith returned to a fled battlefield to rescue 40 of his soldiers. For his extreme act of bravery in leading his men to safety, Keith became the last Australian to earn the VC for 40 years.
Keith spent decades in the public spotlight while struggling with his own demons, then found new purpose as an advocate for others. In a lifetime of service, he has helped not only veterans of foreign wars, but also Indigenous diggers and communities left behind by civilian and military bureaucracy.
No One Left Behind tells, for the first time in his words, of Keith Payne's remarkable life. His definitive autobiography reveals the story of a big-hearted, iconic Australian and the heart and heartaches of a man who continues to fight for his mates.
Featuring a Foreword by Mark Donaldson VC
Praise for No One Left Behind
'I first met Keith Payne in Vietnam and was in awe of this understated hero whose lifesaving actions in combat became a treasured Australian legend. This book shows over time how that legend became the man. In my long military career, it may be said that my friendship with Keith and Flo was part of my firmament as an Australian General.' - General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, AC(Mil), CVO, MC (Ret'd)
'No One Left Behind is a compelling read about a genuine, rolled-gold Aussie hero. Always the larrikin, Keith Payne VC's memoir will make you smile and feel good about life, I promise.' - Ray Martin AM
'Keith doesn't beat around the bush with his honest account of the highs and lows he has gone through in the service of his country. No One Left Behind is so much more than a military memoir. Keith's larrikin behaviour and ability to spin a yarn leaves you wanting to know more. His story of soldier, hero and then returned servicemen delves into the unseen wounds of post-traumatic stress disorder, a result of his service in Korea and Vietnam. His advocacy in pursuing better conditions for future generations of servicemen and women sends a strong message to the government of "What more could be done?"' - Daniel Keighran VC
'To stand in the battlefield wreckage of the Vietnam war, to smell the napalm, taste the blood from your own forehead and to hide from enemy soldiers sweeping over the battlefield - this is Keith Payne's journey. As I read No One Left Behind, I crouch beside him on the windswept frozen bluffs of Korea, and duck with him in the napalmed jungles of Vietnam. We plunge into the hellscape of Ben Het, walking time and again into the black jungle, wounded and terrified, to look for his fallen mates. Keith Payne is the last of a great generation - accompany him on these battles, and come full circle with him to experience the staid return to civilian order and employment. This soldier shows us a timeless lesson, in both word and in deed - leave no one behind.' - Mark Wales
'The power is in the story. Keith Payne's life and story is a gift to our nation and the next generation. Born of hardship, a man shaped by the best and worst of human behaviour, who has loved and been loved by one woman. He fought wars for us, then in peace, the lived traumas he brought back with him. A life given ultimately for others. To read No One Left Behind is to accept the challenge to be a better person.' - Hon Dr Brendan Nelson AO
'In his own words Keith tells, humbly, how he not only saved 40 of his soldiers in Vietnam, but how he went on to help many, many more veterans in the years to come, while also striving to get on top of his own problems. I can't think of a better example to set ... take care of yourself, but never forget to look after your mates.' - Mark Donaldson VC
Keith grew up one of thirteen children in the shadow of the Great Depression and the Second World War. After seeing his father come home wounded from war, Keith joined the army. He was sent to fight in Korea at just 18 years old, the bloody beginning to decades of military service across the world.
Keith's life was defined by one night in 1969. In the dark jungle of Vietnam, under heavy enemy fire, Keith returned to a fled battlefield to rescue 40 of his soldiers. For his extreme act of bravery in leading his men to safety, Keith became the last Australian to earn the VC for 40 years.
Keith spent decades in the public spotlight while struggling with his own demons, then found new purpose as an advocate for others. In a lifetime of service, he has helped not only veterans of foreign wars, but also Indigenous diggers and communities left behind by civilian and military bureaucracy.
No One Left Behind tells, for the first time in his words, of Keith Payne's remarkable life. His definitive autobiography reveals the story of a big-hearted, iconic Australian and the heart and heartaches of a man who continues to fight for his mates.
Featuring a Foreword by Mark Donaldson VC
Praise for No One Left Behind
'I first met Keith Payne in Vietnam and was in awe of this understated hero whose lifesaving actions in combat became a treasured Australian legend. This book shows over time how that legend became the man. In my long military career, it may be said that my friendship with Keith and Flo was part of my firmament as an Australian General.' - General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, AC(Mil), CVO, MC (Ret'd)
'No One Left Behind is a compelling read about a genuine, rolled-gold Aussie hero. Always the larrikin, Keith Payne VC's memoir will make you smile and feel good about life, I promise.' - Ray Martin AM
'Keith doesn't beat around the bush with his honest account of the highs and lows he has gone through in the service of his country. No One Left Behind is so much more than a military memoir. Keith's larrikin behaviour and ability to spin a yarn leaves you wanting to know more. His story of soldier, hero and then returned servicemen delves into the unseen wounds of post-traumatic stress disorder, a result of his service in Korea and Vietnam. His advocacy in pursuing better conditions for future generations of servicemen and women sends a strong message to the government of "What more could be done?"' - Daniel Keighran VC
'To stand in the battlefield wreckage of the Vietnam war, to smell the napalm, taste the blood from your own forehead and to hide from enemy soldiers sweeping over the battlefield - this is Keith Payne's journey. As I read No One Left Behind, I crouch beside him on the windswept frozen bluffs of Korea, and duck with him in the napalmed jungles of Vietnam. We plunge into the hellscape of Ben Het, walking time and again into the black jungle, wounded and terrified, to look for his fallen mates. Keith Payne is the last of a great generation - accompany him on these battles, and come full circle with him to experience the staid return to civilian order and employment. This soldier shows us a timeless lesson, in both word and in deed - leave no one behind.' - Mark Wales
'The power is in the story. Keith Payne's life and story is a gift to our nation and the next generation. Born of hardship, a man shaped by the best and worst of human behaviour, who has loved and been loved by one woman. He fought wars for us, then in peace, the lived traumas he brought back with him. A life given ultimately for others. To read No One Left Behind is to accept the challenge to be a better person.' - Hon Dr Brendan Nelson AO
'In his own words Keith tells, humbly, how he not only saved 40 of his soldiers in Vietnam, but how he went on to help many, many more veterans in the years to come, while also striving to get on top of his own problems. I can't think of a better example to set ... take care of yourself, but never forget to look after your mates.' - Mark Donaldson VC
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Published October 12, 2021
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About the author
Keith Payne
23 books57 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Keith Payne is a professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an international leader in the psychology of inequality and discrimination. His research has been featured in The Atlantic and The New York Times, and on NPR, and he has written for Scientific American and Psychology Today.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Keith Payne is a professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an international leader in the psychology of inequality and discrimination. His research has been featured in The Atlantic and The New York Times, and on NPR, and he has written for Scientific American and Psychology Today.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 20, 2021
I have known of Keith Payne VC, nearly all of my life, as we share the same surname. So whenever his name was mentioned it would prick my ears up. However thus is the first time that l have really known any detail about the man and legend he is. I could not put the book down until l had finished it. Keith Payne VC is a fantastic read and tells the story of his life. He is humble about the details of the events that saw him become a VC recipient. How being the holder if the VC affected his and his families life. How he used the VC to help other Australian diggers and first responder suffering with PTSD. l myself have PTSD due to being Volunteer Firefighter. Mr Payne, your story and life is an inspiration to all Australians, l wish you well and your legacy will live on.
May 23, 2025
This is a must read. Keith tells it as it is and he did not candy coat it at all. Starting out during an already rough time in Australia’s History Keith manages to find what works for him hard work then the military. Having served across 3 conflicts and being among the first to recognise the need for Veterans services this book really gets into how Keith was before during and after. His struggles and what he wrestled with until he saw that many others needed the help he needed as well.
March 20, 2025
What an extraordinary man! I really enjoyed reading Keith Payne VC's memoir. I met Keith and Flo a few times many years ago as he is a friend of my husband's family. Both Keith and Flo are wonderful role models to look up to. I am proud to have met them both and to finally read their full story.
November 28, 2021
This is my favourite read this year.
I have always had admiration for Mr Payne and reading his story has made me respect him even more.
I couldn't put this book down.
I have always had admiration for Mr Payne and reading his story has made me respect him even more.
I couldn't put this book down.
January 4, 2022
Incredible book by a great man. A true Aussie and just honoured to have been able to meet and care for him in my life.
July 23, 2022
Raw and honest account of how fighting the DVA is harder than fighting the NVA or VC
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews