CDT3 Vietnam

"Statistics aside, it is impossible to quantify the achievements of CDT3 in South Vietnam 1967 - 71.

There is no doubt this small band of Australians was known and respected for professional ability wherever the men operated.

Man for man, there probably was no more effective unit deployed during the war in Vietnam, on either side."

quote: Lex McAulay's book "In the Ocean's Dark Embrace".

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Honour Roll for CDT3 - Vietnam.

Located at RAN Diving School, HMAS Penguin.

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The US Presidential Unit Citation is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and co-belligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy. The unit must have displayed such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions to have set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would be required for award of a Navy Cross to an individual.

4th Team

The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944. This commendation is awarded by the Secretary to any ship, aircraft, detachment, or other unit of the United States Navy or Marine Corps which has since 6 December 1941 distinguished itself in action against the enemy with outstanding heroism but not sufficient to justify award of the Presidential Unit Citation (United States). To justify this award, the unit must have performed service of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of a Silver Star Medal.

2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th Teams

5th, 6th, 7th & 8th Teams received the award twice (star).

The Navy Unit Commendation ranks below the Presidential Unit Citation.

The Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy on July 17, 1967. It is awarded in the name of the Secretary of the Navy to units of both the U.S. Navy and United States Marines.

To justify this award, the unit must have performed service of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of a Bronze Star Medal.

1st Team.

The Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ranks below the Navy Unit Commendation.

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1st Team

Rear: ABCD Peter Magnuson, Lt. Mike Shotter, ABCD Geoff Lassau.

Front: LSCD Phil Kember, POCD Brian Clark, LSCD Peter Boettcher.

Vung Tau 1967.

1st Team

Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.

'Nobby' Clark, 'Magoo' Magnuson, 'Bristles' Lassau, 'Lofty' Kember & Peter Boettcher.

2nd Team

rear: Lt. Bob Burns, ABCD Pat Zegenhagen, POCD Ron Donne.

front: ABCD Dave Trompp, LSCD Dik Blake, LSCD Mick Currie.

Vung Tau 1967-1968

2nd Team

Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.

Mick Currie, 'Zeke' Zegenhagen & Dik Blake.

3rd Team

rear: ABCD John Branch, Lt. David Lees, LSCD Dave Winkle

front: ABCD Ray Cocks, ABCD Jim Henry, POCD Bill Ellery

Vung Tau 1968

3rd Team

Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.

Ray Cocks, "Spot' Henry & John Branch.

4th Team

rear: POCD "Blue" Cox, POCD Barry Wilson, Lt. Clem Littleton.

front: ABCD Harry Spicer, LSCD Dave Rhook, ABCD Col Darling.

Vung Tau 1968/69

4th Team

Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.

Col Darling & 'Tug' Wilson.

5th Team

POCD John Brumley, ABCD Andy Sherlock, ABCD Mick Ey, Lt. Alan Davis,

ABCD Jeff Garrett, CPOCD Vic Rashleigh.

Vung Tau 1969

5th Team

Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.

'Brum' Brumley, 'Cowby' Garrett, Vic Rashleigh & Mick Ey.

6th Team

Rear: ABCD Bob Wojcik, ABCD 'Tex' Bullock, ABCD 'Jock' Kingston, ABCD John Pocklington,

ABCD 'Banga' Barclay.

Front: POCD John Thompson, Lt. Alex Donald, POCD Bill Bailey.

Sydney 1969

7th Team.

Rear: ABCD 'Jock' Kingston, LSCD John Aldenhoven (replacement), LSCD Russ Steer.

Front: CPOCD John Dollar, Lt. Ross Blue, POCD John Kershler.

(inset ABCD Bob Wojcik - killed June '70)

Vung Tau 1970

7th Team.

Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.

'Kersh' Kershler & Russ Steer.

8th Team.

ABCD Brian Furner, ABCD Tony Ey, Lt. Jake Linton, CPOCD John Gilchrist, ABCD Larry Digney,

POCD Phil Narramore - DaNang 1971.

* it is interesting to note that the 6 members of this Team all went on to provide a combined service of over 135 years to the CD Branch,

each serving a minimum of 20 years.

8th Team.

Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.

Rear: 'Narra' Narramore, 'Jake' Linton & 'Digger' Digney.

Seated: Tony Ey & 'Blue' Furner.

A very disappointed 9th Team completed their workup but failed to deploy due to the Australian Government's decision to withdraw all military forces from South Vietnam.

They were:

Lt. Norm Burt

CPOCD 'Sandy' Brennan

POCD 'Paddy' Turley

LSCD Tom McNab (standby from the 8th team)

ABCD Pete Lofts

ABCD Alan Dempster (killed in training - replaced by ABCD Bob Braithwaite)

ABCD John 'Porky' Rees

ABCD Pete Riley

The 9th Team in training, 1971.

Sandy Brennan, Pete Lofts, Paddy Turley, Norm Burt, Porky Rees, Bob Braithwaite.

absent: Tom McNab, Pete Riley.

9th Team.

Reunion - 23rd April, 2007.

'Porky' Rees, Norm Burt, 'Blue' Riley & Bob Braithwaite.

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CDT3-Vietnam Reunion - HMAS Waterhen 23rd April '07

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Duc Tan, South Vietnam 1971.

Possibly one of the last photos of ABCD Bob Wojcik - cutting det cord.

(killed in Vietnam June 1970). (AWM)

Empty .50 cal rounds litter the stern of a Swift boat.

'Snow' Davis (seated) reckons it's a harbour cruise. Mick Ey on left.

Mekong Delta 1969.

"Gently Digger, gently."

2.75" H.E. rockets - Da Nang 1970.

Ross Blue (OIC 7th Team) & 'Fred'

Vung Tau 1970.

CDT3 4th Team members, Col Darling (left) and Harry Spicer (right) visiting Harry Brankstone in the

after Seamans' mess onboard HMAS Perth when the ship entered Vung Tau for a couple of hours

on Xmas Day 1968.

2.75" rocket. Tony Ey & John Gilchrist.

(Monkey Mountain in background)

Da Nang harbour 1971

1st Team.

L-R: Bristles Lassau, Peter Boettcher, Lofty Kember.

Vung Tau 1967.

Checking out a big 'Mutha". 'Lofty' Kember with sidearm.

Peter Boettcher wearing US 'jugs' and protective clothing of the day.

1967.

From left: Kember, Magnuson, ??, Boettcher, Clark, Lassau, ??

1967.

ABCD Geoff (Bristles) Lassau assembling a shot and toggle search line during

CDT3 (1st team) work up in 1966.

3rd Team - 'going home'.

from left: John Branch, Jim Henry, Bill Ellery, David Lees, Dave Winkle & Ray Cocks.

Dave Trompp - 1968.

"His name was Dave and he was big and rugged. The two Australians made a stencil of a kangaroo

and proceeded to spray paint red kangaroos all over (USS) Lipan."

*photo and quote from website:-

http://usslipan.com/Tet_photos2.htm

LEUT. Alex Donald. Callsign - 'Delta Devil'

CPOCD Vic Rashleigh.

'Banger' Barclay gives the 'Royal wave'.

Mick Ey in the 'Cave', Vung Tau, 1968.

It's all over - the last Team arrives back in Sydney - 5th May, 1971.

It might surprise some to discover the number of gallantry awards made to the Royal Australian Navy during the Vietnam War.

Based on number of gallantry awards received as a percentage of the number who people who served in those units, the RAN detachment of pilots to 9 SQDN RAAF tops the list with 37.5% receiving gallantry awards (albeit only 8 of them).

The RAN Helicopter Flight received 20.9%.

CDT3 received 14.3%.

By comparison the Australian Army's most decorated unit, the Aust. Army Training Team (AATTV) received 9%.