William Nagle (author)
Encyclopedia
William Lawrence Nagle was an Australian soldier, author, actor, and screenwriter. His first book, The Odd Angry Shot
, written after his return from the Vietnam War
and exit from the army,
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
.
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 Squadron, deploying on 15 June from RAAF Base Richmond
to Saigon, South Vietnam.
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, , in April 1967, where he was posted as a signaller. He was discharged from the Army on 12 September 1968 at his own request.
The Odd Angry Shot (book)
William L. Nagle's book, The Odd Angry Shot, based on his own experience in 3 SAS Australian Army, portrays the boredom, mateship, humour, and fear of a group of Australian soldiers deployed to South Vietnam in the late 1960's. The book was made into a movie of the same name, The Odd Angry Shot....
, written after his return from the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and exit from the army,
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
The Odd Angry Shot
Based on the novel of the same name by William L. Nagle, The Odd Angry Shot is a film following the experience of Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War...
.
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
Australian Army Catering Corps
The Australian Army Catering Corps is the corps within the Australian Army that is responsible for preparing and serving of meals. The Corps includes two trades, Chef and Operator Catering . The motto of the corps is 'We sustain'...
(AACC).
In March 1966 he was reassigned to the SAS Regiment
Australian Special Air Service Regiment
The Special Air Service Regiment, officially abbreviated SASR but commonly known as the SAS, is a special forces unit of the Australian Army...
as cook. After attending the Cadre Course and qualifying in Navigation and Parachuting in April, Nagle was detached, in June 1966, to Squadron, deploying on 15 June from RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is one of Australia's oldest and largest air force bases. It is located within the City of Hawkesbury in the north-western fringe of Sydney, New South Wales, between the towns of Windsor and Richmond. The base is home to the Royal Australian Air Force's transport headquarters,...
to Saigon, South Vietnam.
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
Australian Army Catering Corps
The Australian Army Catering Corps is the corps within the Australian Army that is responsible for preparing and serving of meals. The Corps includes two trades, Chef and Operator Catering . The motto of the corps is 'We sustain'...
to Royal Australian Infantry, , 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
- The Siege of Firebase GloriaThe Siege of Firebase GloriaThe Siege of Firebase Gloria is a 1989 film starring Wings Hauser and R. Lee Ermey that was filmed in the Philippines. According to a question and answer period in Sydney, director Brian Trenchard-Smith said that R. Lee Ermey wrote the screenplay.-Plot:...
- Screenplay, with Tony Johnston. Also known as Forward Firebase Gloria. Publisher: International Film Management, 1987. Length 250 pages. Subjects: Tet Offensive, 1968. Vietnam War, 1961–1975 - The Odd Angry ShotThe Odd Angry Shot (book)William L. Nagle's book, The Odd Angry Shot, based on his own experience in 3 SAS Australian Army, portrays the boredom, mateship, humour, and fear of a group of Australian soldiers deployed to South Vietnam in the late 1960's. The book was made into a movie of the same name, The Odd Angry Shot....
- Book. - Death of a SoldierDeath of a SoldierDeath of a Soldier is a 1986 Australian film based on the life of American serial killer Eddie Leonski. The film was shot using locations around Melbourne, Victoria.The film is directed by Philippe Mora and stars James Coburn, Bill Hunter and Reb Brown....
- Screenplay.
External links
- Vietnam Service: http://www.vietnamroll.gov.au/Certificate.aspx?VeteranId=1276943
- Obituary: http://www.frontiersmen.org.au/nagle.htm