HMAS Perth (D 38)

HMAS "Perth" (D 38) was a "Perth" class guided missile destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Built in the United States of America, she served in the Vietnam War, earned two US Navy commendations, was decommissioned in 1999, and sunk as a dive wreck off Western Australia.

Construction

"Perth" was laid down at the Defoe Shipbuilding Company in Bay City, Michigan, USA on 21 September 1962, launched on 26 September 1963, and commissioned into the RAN on 17 July 1965.

Operational history

"Perth" served as escort and plane guard for carriers on Yankee Station in the Tonkin Gulf, participated in Operation Sea Dragon and Operation Market Time, patrolled on Search and Rescue duties and carried out Naval Gunfire Support missions during the conflict in Vietnam. "Perth" was awarded the United States Navy Unit Commendation and Meritorious Unit Commendation for her service in Vietnam.cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Perth_(II) |title=HMAS Perth (II) |work=Royal Australian Navy |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |accessdate=2008-10-02]

On 8 September 1980, "Perth" joined five other RAN vessels to form the Australia Squadron.cite book |last=Lind |first=Lew |title=The Royal Australian Navy - Historic Naval Events Year by Year |origyear=1982 |edition=2nd ed. |year=1986 |publisher=Reed Books |location=Frenchs Forest, NSW |pages=p. 297 |isbn=0730100715 |oclc=16922225] The Squadron, which included HMA Ships "Melbourne", "Derwent", "Stalwart", "Supply", and "Otama" spent two months in the Indian Ocean as part of a flag-showing cruise; the largest RAN deployment since World War II.

Fate

HMAS "Perth" paid off on 15 October 1999 and was scuttled as a dive wreck off Albany in Western Australia on 24 November 2001. [ [http://www.albany.wa.gov.au/website/page.php?folder=17e Former HMAS Perth Dive Wreck] www.albany.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 2007-08-03.]

ee also

* Non-U.S. recipients of U.S. gallantry awards

References

External links

* [http://www.hmasperth.com.au/home.html Dive wreck website]
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/australia/destroyers/pages/hmas_perth_d38_page_1.htm MaritimeQuest HMAS Perth D-38]