Mr Walter L Rice, United States Ambassador to Australia, presents USN Meritorious Unit ...

Mr Walter L Rice, United States Ambassador to Australia, presents USN Meritorious Unit Commendation awards to members of the 1st Contingent, RAN Clearance Diving Team 3 (CDT3) at HMAS Penguin, Balmoral, Sydney. The commendation is being conferred upon CDT3, which served in Vietnam from February to August 1967. Left to right : 1059 Lieutenant Commander Michael Thomas Shotter; unidentified RAN officer (background, obscured); 1235 Rear Admiral David Charles Wells, RAN Flag Officer Commanding East Australia (FOCEA); Ambassador Rice; R57829 Petty Officer Clearance Diver (POCD) Peter Boettcher; R52167 POCD Brian Vincent Clark; R62377 Leading Seaman Clearance Diver (LSCD) Phillip Charles Kember; R93876 Able Seaman Clearance Diver (ABCD) Geoffrey (Geoff) David 'Bristles' Lassau; and R93888 ABCD Peter Anthony Magnuson. The commendation allows the recipient the right to wear a distinctive green pennant, with yellow, blue and scarlet horizontal stripes top and bottom. In addition, members of the ship's company serving in the ship during the period for which the citation is awarded, wear a separate ribbon. The citation for CDT3 reads 'For meritorious achievement while conducting defence and surveillance operations in the harbors of Vung Tau, Cam Ranh Bay, Qui Nhon, and Nha Trang, in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 19 February through 30 June 1967. As a part of the Inshore Undersea Warfare Group One, Western Pacific Detachment, the Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Team Three displayed well-coordinated effort and exemplary performance of duty during the planning and establishment phase of the counterinsurgency operations. Although operating in an environment where the United States Navy had virtually no past experience, detachment personnel were instrumental in denying enemy forces freedom of movement within assigned harbors. Harbor Defence units detected, boarded and searched large numbers of suspect junks and craft, contributing significantly to the curtailment of acts of sabotage and the flow of enemy supplies. Through their initiative, versatility, reliability and professional competence, the officers and men of the Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Team Three reflected great credit upon themselves and the Royal Australian Navy, and upheld the highest traditions of the naval service.'