Sunday 19th October 2003

Minister for Veterans' Affairs

HMAS WARRAMUNGA REMEMBERED

The service of the World War II destroyer HMAS Warramunga was remembered today with the dedication of a new commemorative plaque at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, represented the Prime Minister at the dedication ceremony in the Australian War Memorial Sculpture garden, which was attended by veterans of the Royal Australian Navy warship.

"HMAS Warramunga was launched during the dark days of World War II, when Australia was fighting to defend her own shores," Mrs Vale said.

"She served with distinction during the war in the Pacific, earning the battle honours of New Guinea 1943-44, Leyte Gulf 1944, Lingayen Gulf 1945 and Pacific 1943-45.

"HMAS Warramunga ended the war as a member of the Allied fleet present in Tokyo Bay to witness the signing of the Japanese surrender in September 1945."

After the war, HMAS Warramunga served three tours of duty in Japan with the occupation force, before being called again to active service during the Korean War. She covered Allied landings in Korea in 1950 and carried out patrols and enemy bombardments in early 1951 and during a second tour of duty in 1952.

After two tours of duty with the Far East Strategic Reserve during the Malayan Emergency, HMAS Warramunga was decommissioned in 1959.

"During her service, HMAS Warramunga fired more than 8000 rounds, sailed more than half a million miles and logged some 36,000 hours under way. She also had the enviable distinction of never having lost a man to enemy action," the Minister said.

"It is fitting that her name lives on, carried proudly by one of the RAN's Anzac class frigates."

Mrs Vale said the installation of the remembrance plaque at the Australian War Memorial was funded with an Australian Government Saluting Their Service grant to the NSW branch of the HMAS Warramunga Veterans' Association.

"I would like to commend the members of the association for their dedication to preserving the memory of their ship and their contribution to our nation.

"This plaque will be a lasting tribute- a place where visitors to the Memorial can pause to reflect on the service of those who served in HMAS Warramunga, and all of those who go to sea in the defence of Australia," Mrs Vale said.

Media Contact: Rachael Thompson (02) 6277 7820 or 0417 265 289

For More Information Contact:

The Secretary

Vietnam Logistic Support Veterans Association (VLSVA) Inc of Western Australia

PO Box 1588,

Subiaco, WA. 6904

Contact: Ron Tuckwell

Phone: 08 9382 1406

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Last modified: September 08, 2003