The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, today announced that the Government has accepted the recommendations of the independent Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal Inquiry into Recognition for Service with the United States Army Small Ships Section.

The Report recommended that:

1. Australian civilian personnel who served in ships operated by the United States Army Small Ships Section between 1942 and 1945 be recognised as eligible for Australian or Imperial recognition for that service on the same basis as members of the Merchant Navy; and
2. There should be no requirement for those personnel to relinquish any US awards that they may have received in respect of their service in the United States Army Small Ships prior to receiving Australian recognition for that service.

“The release of the findings fulfils a Rudd Labor Government election commitment. The Government has accepted the Tribunal’s findings, and I have directed Defence to implement the recommendations,” said Dr Kelly.

Former Australian members of the United States Army Small Ships Section, and the families of deceased former members, who believe they may now be entitled to medallic recognition, are invited to make application to the Directorate of Honours and Awards. Application forms can be obtained from www.defence.gov.au/medals/ or by calling the Directorate of Honours and Awards, toll free, on 1800 111 321.

As official records of service with the United States Army Small Ships Section are not held by Australian Government agencies, applicants must provide documentary evidence of theirs, or their relative’s service. In some cases, it will be necessary for applicants to first source this evidence from authorities in the United States. Applicants can obtain contact details for this purpose by calling the Directorate of Honours and Awards toll free telephone number.

Completed applications with supporting documents should be made to the following address:

Directorate of Honours and Awards
Department of Defence
PO Box 7952
CANBERRA BUSINESS CENTRE ACT 2610

“I would like to thank the Tribunal for the objective and conscientious manner in which this inquiry was conducted. The release of the Tribunal’s report and the acceptance of the recommendations clearly demonstrate the Government’s commitment to the independent review of long-standing Defence honours and awards issues.”

The Tribunal’s report is available at www.defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au. Further information on Defence honours and awards is available at: www.defence.gov.au/medals/