Medals for Long Tan Veterans - New Tribunal to Examine Other Issues

AUGUST 14, 2008

The Rudd Government has today announced changes to military awards in response to the independent review of Battle of Long Tan recognition. It has also announced its response to the review of service recognition for RAAF Ubon (1965-68). 

Cabinet Secretary, Senator John Faulkner, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, and Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, Dr Mike Kelly, have carefully considered the reports of the independent review panel and a number of public responses to the reports.

Key decisions, approved by the Governor-General, are:

  • Harry Smith, Commander D Company 6RAR, will be offered the Star of Gallantry (equivalent to the Distinguished Service Order), and Platoon Commanders Dave Sabben and Geoff Kendall, will be offered the Medal for Gallantry (equivalent to the Military Cross). This restores the original award recommended for Smith by his commanding officers, and accepts that the intention was to award Sabben and Kendall higher honours.
  • The strength of D Company 6RAR in Vietnam on 18 August 1966 will receive approval to wear the former Republic of Vietnam’s Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation Emblem.

Any other unresolved concerns regarding individual awards for Long Tan will be referred to the independent Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal. The Government will consider itself bound by the Tribunal’s recommendations on these matters. 

Implementation of these recommendations will properly recognise the individual and collective gallantry of these men on 18 August 1966, provide an equitable mix of awards for the battle, and will confer considerable honour on all the men of D Company 6RAR in Vietnam who fought in the Battle of Long Tan.

The independent panel reviewing service recognition for RAAF Ubon found that that the close working relationship that Australian personnel developed with the Americans at Ubon, in Thailand, does not translate to an intention by the Government to deploy assets as part of the Vietnam War. The Government has accepted this finding. It is open for the Ubon Veterans to seek a review of this matter by the independent Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal.  

The Government again thanks the panel for its work on these matters and supports most of its recommendations. On the matter of the South Vietnamese unit citation, we respect the panel’s principled approach but have formed the view that the evidence of an intention by the former government of South Vietnam to offer this award is compelling.

Further details of the Government’s response to the recommendations of the review reports are attached. 

FOR COMMENT:

Laura Ryan (Alan Griffin) 0437 863 109
Colin Campbell (Senator Faulkner) 0407 787 181
Mark Sjolander (Dr Kelly) 0407 102 220