I join the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon, and Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Senator David Feeney in congratulating a team of Australian Navy veterans who have been honoured for their service and sacrifice during the Vietnam War.

The valuable service of Clearance Diving Team 3 Contingent Number 4 was recognised this morning with an award of a United States Presidential Unit Citation.

US Ambassador to Australia, Jeffrey Bleich and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs presented the five surviving members and relatives of one deceased member with the Unit Citation at a ceremony at HMAS Penguin in Sydney.

Clearance Diving Team 3 Contingent Number 4 was deployed to the Mekong Delta in South Vietnam between 1968 and 1969. During that period, Task Group 194 took part in Operation Sea Lords. Their mission was to target and disrupt North Vietnamese supply lines.

This was dangerous and unrelenting work in the tropical environment which they did with exceptional professionalism and disregard for their own safety with an unwavering devotion to duty.

It is a great honour for the Royal Australian Navy and the members of Clearance Diving Team 3 Contingent Number 4 to receive this level of recognition from the President of the United States.

It recognises their outstanding service and highlights the esteem in which our people are held.

Clearance Diving Team 3 Contingent Number 4 set the standard for future generations of Navy Clearance Divers and all those serving in today’s Navy.