DEFENCE HONOURS & AWARDS TRIBUNAL REPORT

Inquiry Into Recognition For Service with :  

The United States Army Small Ships Section  -   Monday, 9th. November , 2009 

The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Mike Kelly AM, MP, today announced that the Government has accepted the recommendation of the independent Defence Honours & Awards Tribunal Inquiry into Recognition for Service with the United States Army Small Ships Section.

 The Report Recommended that :

1. Australian Civilian personnel who served in ships operated by the United States Army Small Ships Section between 1942 – 45 be recognised as eligible for Australian or Imperial recognition for that service on the same basis as members of the Merchant Navy ;   and

2. There should be no requirement for those personnel to relinquish any US award that they may have received in respect of their service in the United States Army Small Ships prior to receiving Australian recognition for that service .

    “The release of the findings fulfils a Rudd Labour Government election commitment. The Government has accepted the Tribunal’s findings, and I have directed Defence to Implement the recommendations,”     said Dr. Kelly.

Former Australian members of the United States Army Small Ships Section, & families of deceased former members who believe they may now be entitled to medallic recognition, are invited to make application to the Directorate Honours & Awards.

Application forms can be obtained from www.defence.gov.au/medals/   ,   or by calling the Directorate of Honours & Awards, toll free 1800 111  321.

As official records of Service with the United States Army Small Ships Section are not held by the Australian Government agencies, applicants must provide documentary evidence of their or their relative’s service. In some cases it will be necessary for applicants to first source this evidence from authorities in the United States. Applicants can obtain contact details for this purpose by calling Directorate Honours & Awards toll free telephone number. 1800 111  321  .

Completed applications with supporting documents should be made to the following address :

Directorate of Honours & Awards ,   Department of Defence ,

P O Box  7952 ,   CANBERRA BUSINESS CENTRE   ACT 2610

“ I would like to thank the Tribunal for the Objective & Conscientious manner in which this enquiry was conducted .  The release of the Tribunal’s report & the acceptance of the recommendations clearly demonstrates the Government’s   commitment to the Independent review of long standing Defence Honours & Awards Issues . ”     

As President of the Association and after ten long years of making submissions to various Ministers I endorse Dr  Mike Kelly AM’s  above remarks , the Tribunal gave us an extremely unbiased hearing for which I personally am grateful.

I take this opportunity to give a special mention to those who have assisted me in my quest and without their support we may not have been so successful :   Professor Edgar Gold, AM, CM , QC, PhD, DSC, FNI .   A master Mariner, Marine Barrister, and extremely committed person who gave his time and support ; his assistance at the Tribunal was truly invaluable.

Also Captain John Evans AM who pre read countless pages for me thereby ensuing that the standard was kept ; and to my back stop Pat Curtis MBE whose suggestions and advice was always available, together with those many members who encouraged me to keep up the fight   -   Thank You All

 Ernest A Flint    MBE ED

 President US Army Small Ships Veterans Association