  :not to be confused with edward kenna (american football).  edward "ted" kenna vc (6 july 1919 &ndash; 8 july 2009)ted kenna, vc, obituary, 8 july 2009, daily telegraph. was the last living australian second world war recipient of the victoria cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the british and commonwealth armed forces. ==second world war== kenna served in the citizen military forces (part-time militia forces) from august 1940 and was allotted service number v55955. in december 1941, the citizen military forces were called up for full-time service for the duration of the war. in june 1942, kenna volunteered for the aif and was allotted new service number vx102142. he served in the 23rd/21st battalion in victoria and later in the darwin area. in june 1943, his unit returned to victoria before being sent to queensland. at this point, the unit was disbanded and its members allotted as reinforcements to other units. kenna was assigned to the 2/4th battalion and embarked for new guinea in october 1944. ===victoria cross action=== the citation for his vc was gazetted on 6 september 1945, and read: {{quote|war office, 6th september, 1945. the king has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the victoria cross to:- no. vx.102142 private edward kenna, 2/4 australian infantry battalion, australian military forces. in the south west pacific at wewak on 15th may, 1945, during the attack on the wirui mission features, private kenna's company had the task of capturing certain enemy positions. the only position from which observation for supporting fire could be obtained was continuously swept by enemy heavy machine 
1919_births 2009_deaths Australian_Army_soldiers Australian_World_War_II_recipients_of_the_Victoria_Cross Hamilton_Football_Club_players People_from_Victoria_(Australia) Recipients_of_the_Centenary_Medal