William Nagle (author)

William Lawrence Nagle (4 June 1947 – 5 March 2002) was an Australian soldier, author, actor, and screenwriter. His first book, The Odd Angry Shot,[1] written after his return from the Vietnam War and exit from the army,[2] traced the lives of a group of Australian soldiers from their departure from Australia, their rotation in South Vietnam, and return to Australia. The book was made into a movie of the same name released in 1979

William Nagle
Born4 June 1947
Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia
Died5 March 2002 (aged 54)
Los Angeles, California, US
Service/branchAustralian Army
Years of service1964-1968
RankPrivate
Service number38359
Unit3 Sqdn SAS
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsVietnam Medal,
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Other work
  • Soldier
  • author
  • actor
  • screenwriter

Military service

Nagle enlisted in the Australian Regular Army on 31 August 1964, as Private Nagle 38359. After initial infantry training he attended the Army Basic Cooking Course in January 1965, qualifying as a cook in May 1965, and was assigned to the Australian Army Catering Corps (AACC).

In March 1966 he was reassigned to the SAS Regiment as cook. After attending the Cadre Course and qualifying in Navigation and Parachuting in April, Nagle was detached, in June 1966, to 3 SAS Squadron, deploying on 15 June from RAAF Base Richmond to Saigon, South Vietnam.[3]

While in Vietnam, Nagle was found to have "Disobeyed a lawful command - Refused to cook egg custard", and was given fourteen days punishment and forfeiture of pay.

On 18 March 1967 Nagle returned to Australia from South Vietnam. At his request he was transferred from AACC to Royal Australian Infantry, 3 SAS, in April 1967, where he was posted as a signaller. He was discharged from the Army on 12 September 1968 at his own request.

Books and screenplays

References
  1. Nagle, William (1975). The Odd Angry Shot. Angus & Robertson. ISBN 0-207-14208-4.
  2. Nagle, William (24 April 1975). "Let Saigons be Bygones". Nation Review. Incorporated Newsagencies Co., Melbourne, Australia. pp. 728–729.
  3. Australian Army (1964–1998), NAGLE, William Lawrence, Regimental Record of Service, Melbourne, Australia: National Archives Australia
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