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OUR story on the six former HMAS Albatross personnel who were awarded US Air Medals has struck a chord with a number of people, including a former US commanding officer of the 135th Assault Helicopter Company Experimental Military Unit (EMU).
Lieutenant Colonel Fred Dunaway, US Army retired, contacted the Register from Florida, to firstly pass on his congratulations to the former flyers but also tell of his battle to have other Australian servicemen recognised.
LTC Dunaway was the CO of the EMU from 1970-71 and was delighted with Rear Admiral Neil Ralph’s comments, “But there are still a lot of people who should also be recognised.”
“He was spot on,” he said.
LTC Dunaway spent more than 10 years trying to get past due medals for three former Australian members of the 135th.
“All three are unquestionably fully qualified to receive awards,” he said.
“As you can imagine after over 45 years it’s very difficult gathering documentation, but I have plenty.
“During the Vietnam conflict the Australian Government restricted their military personnel from accepting foreign medals, however, on August 29, 1995 the Australian Governor General gave permission for former 135th member, Andrew Perry, to officially accept the US Army Silver Star for heroism with the United States forces in Vietnam.
“That set the precedence. In early 2000 both Governments agreed to lift the restrictions and Air Medals were presented to all former Australian members of the unit who had records of their combat flying hours. Approximately 30 pilots and door gunners.
“Australian Navy Airman Bernie Fisher and Lieutenant Jerome Hart were out of country when this approval took place and never had an opportunity to process their awards until I stepped in.”
The third Airman, Jim Shaw, is a different story.
On January 16,1971 he was a door gunner on a helicopter when it was shot down while trying to extract a wounded soldier from the Vietnam jungle.
The aircraft crash landed upside down and the pilot was killed.
The three remaining crew members set up a defensive position and held off enemy forces all night.
After 26 hours of a harrowing experience they were finally rescued.
“As Commanding Officer I recommended all four for appropriate medals,” LTC Dunaway said.
“The US Army pilot received the Distinguished Flying Cross, posthumously. The US Army co-pilot and left door gunner received Silver Stars and Australian right door gunner airman Jim Shaw received nothing.
“His medal recommendation was never seen again.
“I have been trying to correct this situation for years. The foreign application paperwork for past due medals has gone through two US State Senators and each time returned for additional information.
“The bureaucratic process in this country is time consuming and difficult.”
But he said he would continue to pursue the matter as it “was the right thing to do.”