Posted on 04/30/2017 2:00:30 PM PDT by naturalman1975
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has thanked the Australian and American servicemen who fought in the pivotal World War Two Battle of the Coral Sea on behalf of the generations who followed.
"Our freedoms were secured by the bravery of the fighting men on those ships and the pilots who flew through everything the enemy and the weather could throw in their way," he told a dawn service in Townsville to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the battle.
Families from sailors who served on the aircraft carrier, the USS Lexington that was lost in the battle, have flown from America to attend the service.
Governor General Peter Cosgrove and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk are among the dignitaries attending.
Mr Turnbull said the US Navy's commitment to the battle showed "a total commitment to the defence of Australia" and a unity of purpose that continues today.
"Together, we're taking a strong message to North Korea that we will not tolerate reckless, dangerous threats, to the peace and stability of our region," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
My ship was diverted to Tasmania to celebrate this back in ‘85 due to the Ranger having a fire on board. Best shore leave I ever had.
My ship was diverted to Tasmania to celebrate this back in ‘84 due to the Ranger having a fire on board. Best shore leave I ever had.
I think Coral Sea was the first time the American Navy, probably any of the Western allies for that matter, went against the Japanese and almost came out even.
Thank CNO Admiral Ernest J. King. The “Europe First” strategy of Churchill and FDR was willing to give up all of the Pacific territories to Japan as the allies took on Hitler.
King would have nothing of it. He would fight with what he had, and stymied Jap expansion into Australia.
My ship honored the Battle, USS Coral Sea CVA-43. She was a good ship.
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