The United States Navy Unit Commendation HMAS HOBART
	[Ship's crest courtesy of Directorate of Public Information - Navy]

Established by order of the Secretary of the Navy, 18 December 1944, the US Navy Unit Commendation is awarded by the Secretary to any ship, aircraft, detachment, or other unit of the naval service of the United States Navy which has, subsequent to 6 December 1941, distinguished itself by outstanding heroism in action against the enemy, but not sufficient to justify award of the Presidential Unit Citation.

The US Navy Unit Commendation confers on the recipient the right to fly a distinctive pennant, a navy blue burgee with red and gold markings.   In addition, members of the ship's company serving in the ship during the period for which the citation is awarded, wear a separate ribbon.

The Commendation is a highly valued honour and during the period of the Vietnam war, had no equivalent in the Australian system of awards.  The award may also be conferred upon units of armed forces of nations serving with the armed forces of the United States, providing that these units meet the standards established for US Navy and US Marine Corps units.

Citation for HMAS HOBART

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in Commending HMAS HOBART (D39) for Services set forth in the following:

For Exceptionally Meritorious Service during the period 10th March to 20th September, 1967, while engaged in Combat Operations in direct support of Free World Objectives in South East Asia. As an element of Task Unit 70.8.9 HMAS HOBART provided Naval Gunfire Support for United States and Allied Forces ashore in the Republic of Vietnam, and as an element of Task Group 77.1 in the Gulf of Tonkin, supported Naval Operations against North Vietnamese logistics groups and lines of communications. Undeterred by frequent, vigorous, accurate enemy shore fire, HOBART was responsible for the destruction of numerous enemy installations, earning an enviable reputation as an Aggressive Eager and Dauntless Member of the US Seventh Fleet. The outstanding Team Work, Courage and Professionalism displayed by HOBART Officers and Men reflect Great Credit upon themselves and the Royal Australian Navy and were in keeping with the Highest Traditions of the Naval Service.