HMAS PERTH

The United States Navy Unit Commendation

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.

Citation for HMAS PERTH

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in Commending HMAS PERTH (D38) for Services set forth in the following:

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 US Seventh Fleet, HMAS PERTH delivered extensive, destructive naval gunfire again enemy supply routes, coastal defence 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 coastal defence sites, PERTH quickly responded with skill and resourcefulness, silencing enemy batteries while manoeuvring adroitly to avoid sustaining any damage or injury to herself. As an element of Task Unit 70.8.9 HMAS HOBART provided Naval Gunfire Support for United States and Allied Forces ashore in the Republic of Vietnam, and as an element of Task Group 77.1 in the Gulf of Tonkin, supported Naval Operations against North Vietnamese logistics groups and lines of communications. The tenacity, professionalism, and dedication demonstrated by the officers and men of PERTH reflect great credit upon themselves and the Royal Australian Navy.