Mr Smith’s Office: Mary Bagnall (02) 6277 7800 or 0434 665 067
Department: (02) 6127 1999
MEDIA RELEASE
Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Defence
M E D I A R E L E A S E
MR 29/10
7 November 2010
Admiral Michael Mullen USN
appointed Honorary Officer in the Order of Australia
I warmly congratulate the United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen
USN, following his appointment as an Honorary Officer (AO) in the Military Division of the Order of
Australia at Government House in Melbourne today.
Admiral Mullen was nominated for the award in recognition of his distinguished service to the military
relationship between Australia and the United States of America as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff.
The Governor of Victoria, His Excellency Professor David de Kretser, representing the
Governor-General, invested Admiral Mullen in the presence of the US Secretary of State, Hillary
Rodham Clinton, US Secretary of Defense, Dr Robert Gates, Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Foreign
Minister Kevin Rudd, the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and the
Secretary of Defence, Dr Ian Watt.
Admiral Mullen’s appointment as an Honorary Officer in the Military Division of the Order of
Australia recognises his outstanding contribution to the safety and security of Australian forces in Iraq
during 2007 and 2008. His leadership has been characterised by his strategic understanding, dogged
determination, and his command approach.
Admiral Mullen was sworn in as the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 1 October 2007. He
serves as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, the National Security
Council and the Homeland Security Council. Prior to becoming Chairman, Admiral Mullen served as
the 28th Chief of Naval Operations.
During Admiral Mullen’s time as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Australia’s Alliance with the
United States has strengthened considerably.
Admiral Mullen has also made an outstanding contribution to the United States and Australia as
operational and exercise partners in combined exercises in the Asia-Pacific region.
A copy of Admiral Mullen’s citation is available at:
NEWS 
