Lt Col C.N. Khan, Call Sign “Niner” with his favoured weapon in South Vietnam, an American 5.56 mm calibre Colt Commando, part of the Colt Automatic Rifle-15 (CAR-15) weapon family. Because it was a shortened version it was less unwieldy and therefore more suitable than the SLR or M16 rifle when aboard his regular transport, the Sioux H13 light observation helicopter.

“Genghis”, as he was known to the troops, was regularly overhead in the chopper during a battle, directing aerial firepower, and generally assisting his Company Commanders on the ground.

He was mentioned in dispatches (MID) as a platoon commander during the Korean War, when he was severely wounded from gunshots in the chest, and awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his highly successful command and leadership of the 5th Battalion in Vietnam (1969-70).