On This Day
1960-1975 > Vietnam era
On This Day - 1960-1975
- July 3, 1972
The wreck of HMAS WARRNAMBOOL, (minesweeper), sunk by a mine in 1947 off the coast of Queensland, was sold to the Southern Cross Diving and Salvage Company.
- June 24, 1972
Brothers, CAPT G. J. Willis, RAN, and CAPT A. A. Willis, RAN, were promoted to the rank of Commodore on the same day.
- June 15, 1972
Chief Radio Supervisor B. W. Caulter, of HMAS OTWAY, (Oberon class submarine), was awarded the BEM, for devotion to duty over a period of five days, while OTWAY was involved in the rescue of the crew of the ketch ONE AND ALL, in October 1971.
- May 26, 1972
The following awards were made to the ships company of HMAS BRISBANE, (destroyer), for her service in Vietnamese waters:CBE: CAPT R. G. Loosli, RANMID: LCDR H. W. Thomsett, RANMID: Chief ERA A. Hills
- April 25, 1972
The ‘Melbourne-Sydney Marathon’ took place as HMAS Melbourne travelled from Melbourne to Sydney. Ten members of Melbourne’s ship’s company embarked on a relay marathon from Melbourne to Sydney to raise money for Legacy. The ten, ranging in rank from Ordinary Seaman to Commander, formed two five man relay teams and departed Melbourne Town Hall, along with their support volunteers, in the afternoon of 25 April to race the ship back to Sydney. They arrived at Garden Island at 4:13am on 28 April, some 5 hours and 32 minutes ahead of the ship. They covered around 555 miles (893km) in a little more than two and a half days, and at the end of the month had raised over $6000 with donations still coming in.
- April 19, 1972
HMAS Stuart departed Sydney for deployment with the ANZUK Forces in the Far East, followed by a visit to Pearl Harbor in August/September 1972 for exercises with US, Canadian and other Australian Ships. She returned to Sydney on 6 October 1972.
- April 10, 1972
HMAS TOBRUK, (Battle class destroyer), was sold out of service for breaking up in Japan.
The former destroyer TOBRUK, and frigate QUIBERON, left Sydney Harbour for the last time, under tow of the ocean going tug SUMI MARU No. 38, bound for Japan and breaking up.
- April 7, 1972
HMAS Queenborough paid off having steamed some 443,236 miles in the RAN. On 8 April 1975 the ship was sold to Willtopp (Asia) Ltd through the firm’s Agents, Banks Bros and Streets, of Sydney. On 2 May 1975 she was towed from Bradleys Head in Sydney Harbour to Jubilee Engineering Works, Balmain, to be prepared for towing to Hong Kong.
- March 15, 1972
The supply ship HMAS JEPARIT, was paid off and returned to her owners, (Australian National Line). JEPARIT made a record 43 voyages to Vietnam, delivering stores and equipment to the Australian forces.
- March 14, 1972
More than 2,900 RAN personnel served in the Vietnam War. Casualties were three officers and five ratings killed, and 15 wounded. The following awards were made:- CBE- 3; OBE- 1; MBE- 4- DSO- 1; DSC- 9; DFC- 6; DSM- 4; BEM- 4; MID- 48.