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 from: 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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CDT3 personnel were issued the USN Basic EOD badge on arrival in Vietnam, however most were in fact qualified to wear the Senior EOD badge.

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(Star indicates awarded twice)

The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is the US Military's second highest Unit award. It 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.

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.

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

The 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th Teams were awarded the commendation twice - denoted by star on the ribbon.

The 'Navy Unit Commendation' ranks immediately below the Presidential Unit Citation.

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The Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the"United States military" which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions and 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.

Awarded to the 1st Team.

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

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The US Army Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military award decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star.

Awarded to 4 members of 7th Team.

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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: Phil Narramore, 'Jake' Linton & Larry Digney.

Seated: Tony Ey & Brian 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.

Dik Blake 1967/68

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%.