On This Day
1960-1975 > Vietnam era
On This Day - 1960-1975
- February 12, 1971
RADM H. B. Farncomb, CB, DSO, MVO, an original entry of the Royal Australian Naval College, and the first graduate to reach the rank of Captain, died in Sydney.
- February 8, 1971
HMAS Snipe was recommissioned as a Minehunter
- January 25, 1971
HMAS Barbette in company with HMAS Bayonet departed Sydney for their new home port at Cairns. They were later joined by HMAS Barricade. The three boats were greeted warmly on their arrival by both local dignitaries and members of the public, in spite of inclement weather.
- January 17, 1971
HMAS PERTH, (guided missile destroyer), fired on Viet Cong ambush sites at An Xuyen, Vietnam, inflicting casualties.
- December 30, 1970
Helicopters flown by the RAN Helicopter Flight operated from an advanced landing zone at Chau Lang, in Chau Doc Province, to strike at strong Viet Cong forces. The landing zone was under fire throughout the operation, and all helicopters reported hits from intense enemy machine-gun and small arms fire. The operation caused the Viet Cong heavy casualties and some 50 bodies were counted.
- December 25, 1970
HMAS PERTH, (guided missile destroyer), withdrew from the fire line off Vietnam and celebrated Christmas Day at Hong Kong. During the day the ship was visited by the Minister for the Navy, Mr. D. J. Killen, MHR.
- December 24, 1970
Gunships of the RAN Helicopter Flight in Vietnam operated as a security force over a South Vietnamese military camp in the Ca Mau Peninsula, during a Christmas visit by President Nguyen Van Thieu.
- December 21, 1970
HMAS PERTH, (guided missile destroyer), engaged in a counter-battery duel with Viet Cong guns in the Long Hai hills, Vietnam.
- December 17, 1970
HMA Ships AITAPE and LADAVA, (patrol boats), navigated a record 497 miles on the Fly River, New Guinea.
- December 15, 1970
The following gallantry awards were announced for RAN personnel who served in the Helicopter Flight in Vietnam.
- DSC LCDR D. A. Farthing
- DFC LEUT P. L. Clark
- DFC LEUT R. K. Marum
- MID LEUT D. B. Gibson
- MID LEUT R. J. Cooper
- MID SBLT G. Mayo
- MID SBLT E. K. Wile
- MID SBLT A. C. Perry.