United States Medal of Freedom : Mr N A Whiffen

US Medal of Freedom in presentation case with ribbon bar and enamelled lapel pin. Accompanying folder includes citation, presentation schedule and photograph of medal presentation. The medal is engraved around edge with recipient's details.

Neville Albert Whiffen was born on 4 December 1912. Between 1943 and 1948 Whiffen worked in Washington DC as First Secretary at the Australian Embassy and as Science and Technology Attache. During the period of the Second World War he also worked with the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff to try and remedy environmental problems involving equipment and supplies used in the Pacific area. In 1947 Whiffen was awarded the United States Medal of Freedom for this work. The citation reads: 'Mr. Neville Albert Whiffen, Australian citizen, during the period of active hostilities in World War II, rendered meritorious service in the field of scientific research. when Allied forces in the Pacific were handicapped by the rapid deterioration of equipment and supplies because of tropical conditions, he actively encouraged a flow of information among scientists working in that field, and by arranging the conduct of important successful exposure tests involving materials to be used in tropical regions, he contributed greatly to the Allied war effort.'. Australian government policy did not allow him to accept the medal in 1947, however, years later, with the urging of then United States President Bill Clinton, the Federal Government allowed Mr Whiffen to receive his medal. This medal was presented to him at a ceremony in Washington DC on 25 April 1996. In 2002 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to chemical engineering and industrial chemistry. Whiffen died on 2 January 2004.