LEST WE FORGET

As the role of the Australian Army in Vietnam increased so did the direct involvement of the Royal Australian Navy. The converted aircraft carrier HMAS
SYDNEY transported Army personnel and equipment to and from Vietnam from May 1965 until November 1972. This ship became a familiar sight and
temporary home for some 16,000 Australian military personnel as they deployed to Vietnam. SYDNEY became affectionately known as the "Vung Tau Ferry".
During her many voyages SYDNEY was escorted and protected by destroyers, frigates and other units of the Royal Australian Navy. In her 25 round trips
SYDNEY transported 5,733 tons of cargo, 2,375 vehicles and 14 aircraft as well as the troops and steamed some 345,000 nautical miles.

The merchant ships JEPARIT and BOONAROO also provided logistic support to the Australian forces in Vietnam. These two National Line ships were
seconded to the Royal Australian Navy and temporarily commissioned as HMAS JEPARIT and HMAS BOONAROO during their tour of duty.

In May 1966 Clearance Diving Team 1 spent a short period in Vietnam working with United States Navy Divers. Clearance Diving Team 3 was deployed from
February 1967 until May 1971 fpr clearing rivers and shipping channels of mines and booby traps laid by the Viet Cong. The team also carried out salvage
work and trawler searches to protect and secure South Vietnamese ports from sabotage. Over this period there were 7573 ship searches, 153 major diving
tasks, 78 explosive devices removed from ships, 352 tons heavy ordnance destroyed, 42,000 items of unsafe ammunition destroyed, 68 special operations
including canal barricades, search and destroy missions in villages plus reconnaissance and ambush missions in three fire zones. Casualties were one
clearance diver killed and one clearance diver wounded on active service.

From March 1967 the first of the "gunline" destroyers HMAS HOBART followed by PERTH, BRISBANE and VENDETTA joined the United States Seventh Fleet
and remained on station off the Vietnamese coast until October 1971. During the course of these operations the destroyers fired approximately 102,000
rounds of ammunition in aggregate and steamed 397,484 nautical miles. North Vietnamese shore batteries fired upon HOBART and PERTH on numerous
occasions. In October 1967 PERTH received a hit resulting in 4 sailors wounded and damage to the ship. In June 1968 HOBART was hit and damaged by
missiles fired from friendly aircraft. Casualties were two sailors killed and seven wounded.

From October 1967 until June 1971, the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm contributed a helicopter flight that flew in hazardous operations including
combat assaults, naval gunfire, fire support, medical evacuation and cargo lift. In April 1968, the Fleet Air Arm also provided eight helicopter pilots for
9 Squadron RAAF at Vung Tan and operated in support of the Australian Task Force. The Helicopter Flight casualties were five killed and six wounded.

Members of the Royal Australian Navy also served at the Headquarters Australian Forces Vietnam in Saigon. There was also a detachment of Australian
medical officers. These were Royal Australian Navy doctors who served with the 1st Australian Field Hospital as well as the United States Army and Navy
hospitals. While serving in this capacity they were also involved in the Medical Civil Action Program. These doctors provided medical support to the local
civilian population.

During the 10 years that the Royal Australian Navy was involved in the war a total of eight officers and sailors were killed and another 46 were wounded.
The dedication and professionalism shown by members of the Royal Australian Navy earned the Service the respect of our Allies and continued the
traditions established by Australian sailors in other theatres of war.

Insignia of
Royal Australian Navy