| Logistic support of the Australian forces in Vietnam began in May 1965 when the HMAS Sydney conveyed 1RAR to Vietnam and continued until 12 March 1972 when she returned to Australia with the last Task Force units to serve in Vietnam. In all, she made 23 voyages to Vung Tau. In June 1966 the Australian National Line vessel Jeparit began giving logistic support to Australian forces in Vietnam, at first manned by merchant seamen and from 9 March 1967 by a mixed crew including an RAN component. Later in December 1969, Jeparit was commissioned in the RAN, but continued in service with a mixed crew. Between June 1966 and March 1972 (when she was paid off at Sydney), the Jeparit made 42 voyages, steamed some 410,000 miles and carried 175,000 dead weight tons of cargo. Another Australia National line vessel, Boonaroo (commissioned in the RAN on 1 March 1967) made 3 voyages between May 1966 and 8 May 1967, after which she was paid off. RAN personnel who served on these vessels were precluded from the award of the Vietnam Medal by its conditions for award. It was not until this year that their services would be recognised with the award of the Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal. |
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Last modified: September 08, 2003
