SENATOR JOHN FAULKNER
CABINET SECRETARY
SPECIAL MINISTER OF STATE
ALAN GRIFFIN MP
MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
DR MIKE KELLY MP
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR DEFENCE SUPPORT
EMBARGOED UNTIL 0200 THURSDAY 14 AUGUST 2008
27/2008 VA078
AUGUST 14, 2008
MEDALS FOR LONG TAN VETERANS
NEW TRIBUNAL TO EXAMINE OTHER ISSUES
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.
/2.
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
REVIEW OF RECOGNITION FOR THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN AND RAAF UBON (1965-68): GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Review of Recognition for the Battle of Long Tan
Recommendation
Response
Comments
1.
Harry Smith be offered the
opportunity to accept an award of
the Star of Gallantry, the
contemporary equivalent of the
Distinguished Service Order (for
gallantry) originally
recommended to the Commander
of Australian Force Vietnam
(COMAFV).
Agreed.
The Government accepts the Panel’s findings that the documentary evidence supports
the claim that the award was downgraded; that specific factors operating at the time the
award recommendations were considered led to the downgrading, which is considered
unjust; and that the proposed level of award was thoroughly earned in view of (then)
Major Smith’s performance in the Battle.
The Government has recommended to the Governor-General that he approve an award
of the Star of Gallantry to Harry Smith, to restore the intentions of his immediate
commanders. The Star of Gallantry has only rarely been awarded and is second only to
the Victoria Cross for Australia. The award would confer considerable honour on
Harry Smith personally and more broadly on D Company 6RAR.
2.
David Sabben and Geoff Kendall
be offered the opportunity to
accept awards of the Medal for
Gallantry, the contemporary
equivalent of the Military Cross
originally recommended to
COMAFV.
Agreed.
The Government accepts the Panel’s findings that the testimony of key individuals
interviewed by the Panel supports the claim that higher awards were initially
recommended than are reflected in the surviving paperwork; that specific factors
operating at the time the award recommendations were considered led to the awards
being downgraded; and that the existing level of awards is inequitable, in view of the
higher level award made to the other surviving platoon commander (a Military Medal,
the equivalent of the Military Cross for other ranks, to (then) Sergeant Buick, who
commanded 11 Platoon, D Company, after the platoon commander was killed during
the Battle).
The Government has therefore recommended to the Governor-General that he approve
awards of the Medal for Gallantry to David Sabben and Geoff Kendall. The awards of
the Medal for Gallantry would provide equitable recognition for the surviving
D
Company platoon commanders, and achieve a mix of awards for the Battle of Long
Tan that more adequately recognises the gallantry of the participants.
3.
No action be taken to make a
contemporary award for any other
participant in the Battle.
Noted.
The Government notes the recommendation and the principles adopted by the Panel
which lead to the Panel not pursuing the review of other claims for awards. However,
given the concerns that have been raised in connection with recommendation 3, the
Government will refer the issue of claims for other participants in the Battle of Long
Tan to the independent Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal for review. The
tribunal’s decisions will be binding upon the Government.
4.
No action be taken to give
retrospective permission for
members of D Company 6RAR to
wear the insignia of the
Government of the Republic of
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with
Palm Unit Citation.
Neither should any action be
taken to award a contemporary
unit citation for participation in
the Battle.
Not agreed.
The Government considers that there is sufficient weight in the evidence for the foreign
unit award to justify treating the claim in the same way as individual foreign awards for
the Battle of Long Tan were treated in 2004. While an original offer of the unit award,
including the citation text, has not survived, the Government accepts that there was an
intention to offer the unit award to D Company 6RAR.
The Government has therefore recommended to the Governor-General that he set aside
the foreign award guidelines and approve the Government of the Republic of Vietnam
Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation Emblem for wear by all members of
D
Company 6RAR on the strength of the unit in Vietnam on 18 August 1966.
Review of service recognition for RAAF Ubon (1965-68)
Recommendation
Response
Comments
No action be taken to offer further
recognition, including by way of
the Vietnam Logistic and Support
Medal, for the service of RAAF
personnel stationed at Royal Thai
Air Force Base Ubon between
25 June 1965 and 31 August
1968.
Agreed.
The Government accepts the Panel’s finding that, although RAAF Ubon provided de
facto support to the United States Air Force air campaign in Vietnam, it cannot be
concluded that RAAF Ubon was deployed as part of Australia’s commitment to the
Vietnam War. The Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 “Thailand” appropriately
recognises warlike service at Ubon.
The Government notes that claimants may seek a review of this matter by the
independent Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal.
NEWS 
