Francis Hassett

Infobox Military Person
name=Sir Francis Hassett


caption=Lieutenant Colonel Hassett at an airfield in Korea, just prior to taking command of 3RAR
born= 11 April 1918
died= Death date and age|2008|6|11|1918|4|11|df=yes
placeofbirth=Marrickville, New South Wales
placeofdeath= Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
nickname= Frank
allegiance=Commonwealth of Australia
branch= Australian Army
serviceyears=1935–1977
rank=General
commands= Chief of the Defence Force Staff
Chief of the General Staff
Northern Command
28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
battles=Second World War
*North African campaign
*Battle of Bardia
*South West Pacific Theatre
*New Guinea campaign
*Huon Peninsula campaign
*Bougainville Campaign
Korean War
*Battle of Maryang San
Malayan Emergency
awards=Companion of the Order of Australia
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Companion of the Order of the Bath
Distinguished Service Order
Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order
Mention in Despatches (2)
laterwork=
General Sir Francis George "Frank" Hassett AC, KBE, CB, DSO, LVO (11 April 1918 – 11 June 2008) was an Australian general who rose to the position of Chief of the Defence Force Staff; a position marking him as the professional head of the Australian Defence Force. Serving in this capacity from November 1975 until April 1977, he had originally joined the Australian Army in 1935 upon gaining entrance into the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Serving with distinction in the early stages of the Second World War, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1942 at the age of 23, and posted as a staff officer for the remainder of the war.

In 1951, Hassett was appointed to command the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Korea, where he led the unit through some of the toughest fighting of the war. For his leadership and planning during the Battle of Maryang San, he was granted an immediate award of the Distinguished Service Order. Promoted to brigadier in 1960, Hassett commanded a brigade in Malaya for three years, before returning to Australia and serving in a variety of positions which eventually resulted in his appointment as Chief of the General Staff with the rank of lieutenant general. Promoted to general after two years in this role, he was appointed Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, which was reorganised as Chief of the Defence Force Staff the following year. Hassett died in 2008 at the age of 90.

Early life and career

Hassett was born on 11 April 1918, in the Sydney suburb of Marrickville, New South Wales.cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/people/8445.asp|title=Who's who in Australian Military History: General Francis George (Frank) Hassett, AC, KBE, CB, DSO|accessdaymonth=29 August|accessyear=2008|publisher=Australian War Memorial] The son of a railway yard manager,cite news|title=General Sir Francis Hassett: Australian defence forces' Commander|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article4263621.ece|work= |publisher=The Times|date=4 July 2008 Retrieved on 29 August 2008.] he attended Canterbury Boys' High School, before leaving at the age of 15 and gaining employment with the Department of Tramways. Seeking a position at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, he only gained entry after receiving special consideration from Colonel John Lavarack, the Chairman of the College's Selection Board. Hassett began his course at the college in March 1935, aged 16, and soon proved himself a capable cadet. He excelled at military subjects and featured in the College rugby, boxing, equestrian and athletics teams,cite web|url=http://www.gg.gov.au/governorgeneral/speech.php?id=435|title=Eulogy for General Sir Francis Hassett|accessdaymonth=29 August|accessyear=2008|publisher=Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia] later captaining the rugby XV. In 1938 he was promoted to under officer, a position marking him as the senior cadet in his company, and commissioned as a lieutenant later in the year.

Upon graduation, Hassett was posted to the Darwin Mobile Force and given command of rifle platoon and then of a Mortar Platoon. Ironically, due to the constraints of the Defence Act, the Darwin Mobile Force was officially designated an artillery unit and he thus began his infantry career in the artillery.cite web|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=7845|title=Retired Chief of Defence Force, General Sir Francis Hassett, Passes Away|accessdaymonth=29 August|accessyear=2008|work=Department of Defence|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia]

econd World War

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Hassett was promoted to captain and posted as Adjutant to the 2/3rd Battalion of the 6th Division. The division sailed for the Middle East from Sydney on 10 January 1940, and disembarked in Egypt a little over a month later in preparation for service in the North African Campaign. After further training in Palestine and Egypt,cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11254.asp|title=2/3rd Battalion|accessdaymonth=29 August|accessyear=2008|publisher=Australian War Memorial] the battalion took part in an attack on the Italian coastal fortress of Bardia. Two weeks later, the 2/3rd Battalion was to take part in the capture of Tobruk by the 6th Division. Tasked with laying white tapes for a start-line on the eve of the attack, Hassett found a a weak point in the Italian front line, where he proceeded to lay the tapes. In an effort to complete the task before dawn, he began to walk instead of crawling and prodding for mines; one duly blew up, with Hassett suffering shrapnel wounds to his foot. He was subsequently Mentioned in Despatches for his actions.cite news|title=General Sir Frank Hassett|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/2159229/General-Sir-Frank-Hassett.html|publisher=Daily Telegraph|date=20 June 2008 Retrieved on 27 September 2008.] [cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm192/00304/003040177.pdf|title=Recommendation for Francis George Hassett to be awarded a Mention in Despatches|accessdaymonth=29 August|accessyear=2008|format=PDF|publisher=Australian War Memorial] Having recovered from his wounds, Hassett was sent to the British Army Staff College at Haifa and was subsequently promoted to major. Shortly afterwards, he was posted as Brigade Major to the 18th Brigade in Syria.

When Japan entered the war, Hassett planned and controlled the brigade's embarkation from Suez and return to Australia, learning on his arrival that he had been promoted to lieutenant colonel. At 23, he was the youngest army officer to attain that rank. Training postings followed before receiving an appointment as a staff officer in New Guinea. By the end of the Second World War, he was chief of staff to the 3rd Division conducting operations against the Japanese forces on the island of Bougainville, without having an operational command. For his services in the Pacific, Hassett was again Mentioned in Despatches [LondonGazette|issue=37898|date=6 March 1947|startpage=1091|supp=yes|accessdaymonth=31 August|accessyear=2008 (Mentioned in Despatches.)] and awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm192/00304/003040176.pdf|title=Recommendation for Francis George Hassett to be awarded a Officer of the Order of the British Empire|accessdaymonth=31 August|accessyear=2008|format=PDF|publisher=Australian War memorial] cite web|url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1109965&search_type=advanced&showInd=true|title=The Order of the British Empire - Officer (Military): HASSETT, Francis George|accessdaymonth=2 September|accessyear=2008|work=It's an Honour|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia, Date: 19 July 1945, Citation: "ARMY - Distinguished service in the SW Pacific".]

As a result of his World War II service, Hassett was also awarded the 1939-1945 Star, the Africa Star, the Pacific Star, the Defence Medal, the War Medal 1939–1945 (with oakleaf for Mention in Despatches) and the Australia Service Medal 1939-45.

Inter-bellum

Returning to Australia after the end of the war, Hassett was posted as an instructor at the Australian Army Staff College in Toowoomba.cite news|first=John|last=Essex-Clark|coauthors=Carman, Gerry|title=Duty first for leader of courage and skill|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/obituaries/duty-first-for-leader-of-courage-and-skill/2008/06/22/1214073046096.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=23 June 2008 Retrieved on 27 September 2008.] On 18 May 1946, he married Hallie Roberts, with whom he was to have four children. In 1948, Hassett was posted as a staff officer to the 2nd Division, remaining in this position until March 1951, when he assumed command of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR). While in command of the battalion at Holsworthy Barracks, New South Wales, the couple's first child, a daughter to be named Lyndal, was born.

Korean War

In June 1951, Hassett was sent to Korea to assume command of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR). He led the battalion through some of the toughest fighting of the war, which reached its peak in October–December 1951 in Operation Commando. The operation was designed to strengthen the Allied position, and on 5 October, Hassett was tasked with the capture of Hill 317, better known as Maryang San.

Maryang San was a two-mile-long, crescent-shaped ridge with irregular extending spurs rising two hundred meters above the valley. Ideal for defence, it was held by well-entrenched Chinese troops supported by artillery and mortars. While British forces attacked further west, men from A Company 3RAR attempted an advance along a spur south-east of the summit. The attack acted as a feint by drawing Chinese defenders away from the main ridgeline, up which B and D Companies then advanced. After a series of assults, D Company managed to capture four knolls leading up the ridgeline before C Company took over the attack and captured a feature known as Baldy, before moving on quickly to occupy the summit, which had been abandoned by the Chinese.

Throughout the next day, the Australians held the summit against heavy Chinese fire and several attempts to infiltrate the position. Early on 7 October, B Company captured the final objective ‘the Hinge’, after heavy fighting. Subject to severe and continuous artillery bombardment throughout the following day, the Chinese attempted a number of counter-attacks in the evening; all of which were repulsed before the Chinese finally withdrew and the Australians’ hold on Maryang San was secured. For his leadership and planning during the battle, Hassett received an immediate award of the Distinguished Service Order,LondonGazette|issue=39453|date=1 February 1952|startpage=643|accessdaymonth=31 August|accessyear=2008 (Distinguished Service Order)] cite web|url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1073684&search_type=advanced&showInd=true|title=Distinguished Service Order: HASSETT, Francis George|accessdaymonth=2 September|accessyear=2008|work=It's an Honour|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia Date: 1 February 1952, Citation: "ARMY - 3 Royal Australian Regiment - Korea".] before returning to Australia in July 1952, where he was posted as the director of military art at the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

As a result of his Korean service, Hassett was also awarded the Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975, the Korea Medal and the United Nations Korea Medal.

Later career

In 1954, Hassett served as a marshal for Queen Elizabeth II's world tour, and was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order for his service.LondonGazette|issue=40159|date=27 April 1954|startpage=2501|accessdaymonth=1 September|accessyear=2008 (Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order)] cite web|url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1106630&search_type=advanced&showInd=true|title=Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order: HASSETT, Francis George|accessdaymonth=2 Septamber|accessyear=2008|work=It's an Honour|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia Date: 27 April 1954, Citation: "Marshal of the 1954 Royal Tour".] Promoted to Brigadier in 1960, he was appointed to command the 28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade in Malaya, conducting counter-insurgency operations. During this time, he also led participation in regional exercises with Thailand and contributed to developments in tropical warfare and counter-insurgency. Upon leaving Malaya in 1963, he attended the Imperial Defence College in London, before returning to Canberra as Deputy Chief of the General Staff with the rank of major general. In the 1966 New Years Honours, Hassett was upgraded to a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, [LondonGazette|issue=43855|date=1 January 1966|startpage=38|supp=yes|accessdaymonth=1 September|accessyear=2008 (Commander of the Order of the British Empire).] and also awarded the Malaysian Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (Meritorious Service Medal) for his services in Malaya.

Appointed General Officer in Command of Australia’s Northern Command in 1968, Hassett was awarded a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the Queen's Brithday Honours of 1970.LondonGazette|issue=45118|date=13 June 1970|startpage=6399|supp=yes|accessdaymonth=1 September|accessyear=2008 (Companion of the Order of the Bath)] cite web|url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1064338&search_type=advanced&showInd=true|title=The Order of the Bath - Companion (Military): HASSETT, Francis George|accessdaymonth=2 September|accessyear=2008|work=It's an Honour|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia Date: 13 June 1970, Citation: "General Officer Commanding Northern Command".] Later in 1970 he was selected to lead the Army Review Committee, which became more colloquially known as the “Hassett Committee”. The committee's far reaching reforms included moving from a geographical to a functional command system, which involved in part the replacement of the various State Army Command Headquarters with a national field force, training and logistics command system; a system that remains largely in place today. In 1971, Hassett was appointed as Vice Chief of the General Staff, and tasked with implementing the organisational reforms he had initiated, as well as supervising the end of conscription, the withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam and the consequential organisational changes brought about by a reduction in Army manpower.

In 1973, Hassett was promoted to lieutenant general and made Chief of the General Staff. Appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in June 1975cite web|url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=879616&search_type=advanced&showInd=true|title=Companion of the Order of Australia: HASSETT, Francis George|accessdaymonth=2 September|accessyear=2008|work=It's an Honour|=It's an Honour|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia Date: 9 June 1975, Citation: "For eminent service in duties of great responsibility."] , he was promoted to general in November and became Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee; the professional head of the Australian Military. When the Australian Defence Force (ADF) was established on 9 February 1976, Hassett assumed the new appointment of Chief of the Defence Force Staff, which expanded his authority over the three services and made him the ADF's first commander. [cite book|last=Horner|first=David|title=Making the Australian Defence Force|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Melbourne|date=2001|series=The Australian Centenary History of Defence|pages=pp.46–49|isbn=0195541189] In June 1976 Hassett was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.LondonGazette|issue=46920|date=12 June 1976|startpage=8052|supp=yes|accessdaymonth=1 September|accessyear=2008 (Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire)] cite web|url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1082338&search_type=advanced&showInd=true|title=The Order of the British Empire - Knights Commander (Military): HASSETT, Francis George|accessdaymonth=2 September|accessyear=2008|work=It's an Honour|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia Date: 12 June 1976, Citation: "Chief of the Defence Force Staff"] Ill health forced Hassett into retirement in April 1977; he was awarded the National Medal in the 1977 Queens Birthday Honours.cite web|url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=917091&search_type=advanced&showInd=true|title=National Medal: HASSETT, Sir Francis|accessdaymonth=2 September|accessyear=2008|work=It's an Honour|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia Date: 14 July 1977.]

Other awards received during his career included the Australian Service Medal 1945-1975, General Service Medal (with Malaya clasp), the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1952), the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977), the Defence Force Service Medal (with Federation Star) for over 40 years service, the Australian Defence Medal and more recently the Pingat Jasa Malaysia.

Retirement

Following his retirement, General and Lady Hassett settled into farming near Canberra, where he was later appointed colonel commandant of the Royal Australian Regiment. In 2006, after a sizable donation was made to the Royal Australian Regiment Foundation by the pair, the Hassett Award was established in order to annually honour junior leadership within the Regiment. [cite news|first=Andrew|last=Hetherington|title=Leadership award first|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1155/topstories/story04.htm|work=Army: The Soldier's Newspaper|publisher=Australian Army|date=2 November 2006 Retrieved on 1 September 2008.] General Hassett died at his home on 11 June 2008, after a long battle with illness.

References

External links

* [http://www.awm.gov.au/units/people_8445.asp Timeline of Hassett's career]
* [http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2008/Jun/20080617/2004_S844_05_lo.jpgOfficial Portrait of General Sir Francis Hassett]