Brief History

When the Australian government announced it was sending an infantry battalion to serve alongside the US led "Free World Forces" in South Vietnam, it was inevitable that the Navy would soon follow.

HMAS Sydney had been transporting troops to Vietnam since May 1965 but in 1966 the government decided to commit the RAN to its first combat role in Vietnam. As a result Clearance Diving Team 3 (CDT3) was formed, deploying in Feb. '67 after an extensive workup period encompassing jungle warfare training, extensive weapons training, diving and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) refreshers with a particular emphasis on Viet Cong booby trapping techniques.

In all, eight teams were to deploy on active service between 5th February 1967 and 5th May 1971. A total of 49 officers and sailors served in CDT3.

Awards to Team members included the following medals and commendations:

Distinguished Service Cross

Distinguished Service Medals

British Empire Medal

Mention in Dispatches

US Army Commendation Medals

US Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation

RAN Naval Board Commendations

USN Letters of Commendation

plus numerous individual Vietnamese and US bravery recommendations all of  which could not be accepted. (Australian Government policy of the day refused the receipt of individual foreign bravery awards).

Summary of operations:

Ships searched -                                         7573

Other major diving tasks -                          153

Explosive devices removed from ships -  78

Heavy ordnance destroyed -                      353 tons

Unsafe ammunition destroyed -                 42,000 items

Special Operations -                                    68

Casualties -          1 wounded in action

                               1 killed on active service.