United States Navy Commendation to HMAS Perth

Established by order of the United States Secretary of the Navy, 18 December 1944, it is awarded by the Secretary to any ship, aircraft, detachment, or other unit of the naval service of the United States Navy which has, subsequent to 6 December 1941, distinguished itself by outstanding heroism in action against the enemy, but not sufficient to justify award of the Presidential Unit Citation.

The US Navy Unit Commendation confers on the recipient the right to wear a distinctive pennant, a green burgee with blue, yellow and scarlet horizontal stripes top and bottom. In addition, members of the ship's company serving in the ship during the period for which the citation is awarded, wear a separate ribbon.

The commendation, established in 1944, is a highly valued honour and during the period of the Vietnam war, had no equivalent in the Australian system of awards. the award may be made to any unit of the US Navy or US Marine Corps which has distinguished itself by outstanding heroism in action against the enemy or to any unit which has distinguished itself by extremely meritorious service not involving combat, but in support of military operations. the award may also be conferred upon units of armed forces of nations serving with the armed forces of the United States, providing that these units meet the standards established for US Navy and US Marine Corps Units.

PERTH II reached the "sunset" of her career - decommissioned from service in the Royal Australian Navy in October 1999 after a distinguished 34 years where she saw three deployments on active service in Vietnam during the late 1960's / early 1970's, and many other tours of duty to ports all around the world. She steamed in excess of one million nautical miles during her career, and is the only RAN ship to be hit by enemy fire since HMAS SHROPSHIRE was hit during Korean conflict. She was awarded the following US Navy commendations:

For her outstanding performance while working with the US Seventh Fleet in 1967/68 under the Command of CAPT Peter Doyle. The US Navy Unit Commendation was established in 1944.

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending

HMAS PERTH (D38)

for Services set forth in the following:

CITATION:

For Exceptionally Meritorious Service from 9 September 1967 to 5 April 1968 in the planning and execution of combat missions against enemy aggressor forces in direct support of Free World Objectives. While operating as a unit of the U.S. SEVENTH Fleet, HMAS PERTH delivered extensive, destructive naval gunfire against enemy supply routes, coastal defense sites, troop concentrations, and fortified positions in both North and South Vietnam.

The prowess and teamwork displayed by the personnel of PERTH were uniformly characterized by personal valour, professional acumen, and individual initiative. Although often within the range of enemy emplacements, and frequently under fire from North Vietnamese coastal defense sites, PERTH quickly responded with skill and resourcefulness, silencing enemy batteries while manoeuvring adroitly to avoid sustaining any damage or injury to herself.

The tenacity, professionalism, and dedication demonstrated by the officers and men of PERTH reflect great credit upon themselves and the Royal Australian Navy.

Paul R Ignatius
Secretary of the Navy

Once again for her outstanding performance while working with the US Seventh Fleet in 1968/69 under the command of CAPT David Leach. The US Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation was established in July 1967.

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the

Meritorious Unit Commendation to HMAS PERTH (D38)

for service as set forth in the following:

For meritorious service from 24 September, 1968 to March 1969 while participating in combat operations against enemy aggressor forces in South East Asia.

As a member of the United States SEVENTH Fleet assigned to SEA DRAGON operations, HMAS PERTH contributed significantly to SEVENTH Fleet combat operations by conducting numerous successful fire missions against heavily defended enemy logistic installations and lines of communications. When PERTH was engaged by enemy shore batteries on two occasions, the combination of her crew members' spirited teamwork and capable leadership produced quick and precise evasive action to spare the ship any material or personnel casualties. PERTH's highly accurate fire inflicted heavy losses on enemy assets and was instrumental in assuring the success of allied operations wherever she was stationed.

The outstanding performance, superlative accomplishments, and inspiring devotion to duty displayed by the officers and men of HMAS PERTH throughout her deployment, reflect credit upon themselves and the Royal Australian Navy.

John H Chaffee
Secretary of the Navy

The United States Navy Unit Commendation

The United States Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation

HMAS PERTH

Copies of the Commendations' courtesy of the HMAS Perth Association

[Ship's crest courtesy of Directorate of Public Information - Navy]