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RECENT
MEDIA STATEMENTS ABOUT THE OFFICIALLY STATED "WE HAVE NO POW/MIA'S IN VIETNAM"
Apparently now we do.
Australia has 6 men classified as being MIA from the Vietnam
War, and this after much political debate because none served in country under Australia's flag at the time - all of
which you will find details under my pow/mia page. Two men now are believed to be found - Parker and Gillson. Official recognition needed still but the facts are
facing in this direction. Both were Airforce and on operation together - they were the first in Vietnam to go missing
from Australia in November 1965 - vertually 40yrs to date.
Credit must be given to the many American bodies who have constantly
lobbied against the US and Australian Governments on the matter of POW/MIA's issues and my very best also to the faithful
men and women of Operation Aussies Home - website and obviously major instigators of our men being returned to where
they belong - Home.
Well done. Australia should be proud of you and news paper articles
shouldn't be way back on page 20 whatever.
To the families of LC Richard Parker and Pte Peter Gillson our sincere best wishes
for a closure most needed especially after so many years of Australia's official stand that "we have no POW/MIA's
in Vietnam".
To the families of all of Australia's MIA's from all wars and conflicts, my heartfelt
wish that such a time of closure can be yours too.
MEDIA RELEASE
The Hon. De-Anne Kelly, MP
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence
28/2005
Wednesday,
30 November 2005
A MATE'S QUEST - TO FIND THOSE MISSING IN ACTION IN VIETNAM
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence De-Anne Kelly today
acknowledged the efforts of Mr Jim
Bourke and supporters of the
Operation Aussies Home organisation in trying to locate the remains of
Australian Defence
Force personnel declared 'missing in action' in
Vietnam.
"The Government is committed to resolving 'missing in action'
cases and
has a proud record in recovering missing Australian Defence Force
personnel. Recent recoveries in Germany
and Papua are testament to
this," Mrs Kelly said.
"The ADF is also very mindful of not raising the hopes of the missing
servicemen's
next of kin and their comrades and will only search when
there is sufficient evidence available. Further investigations
will
only be undertaken with the full support of the families as their
welfare and wishes are of paramount importance
and must be respected at
all times.
"Mr Bourke of the Operation Aussies Home organisation has met with me
and has
kept me informed during his team's visit to Vietnam. The team
met with Australian and United States officials, including
former
soldiers who were involved in the military actions, about the possible
location of the Australian servicemen's
remains.
"While the passage of time has made the task in finding the remains of
those missing more difficult, Mr Bourke's
team will shortly present the
findings of their investigations. The report will then be considered by
Defence
to determine the best way forward.
"Mr Bourke and his team should be commended for their unstinting efforts
in trying
to bring closure to these missing in action cases."
Mrs Kelly said that there were six Australians that remain listed as
missing
in action or missing presumed dead in Vietnam. Of the six, four
are Army members and two are Air Force.
Media
Contacts:
Tony McMullan 0427 941 281
Defence Public Affairs 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
Adelaide Advertiser - 30th Nov 2005
News on Lost Diggers
Two of the six Australian servicemen missing in action in the vietnam War may be coming home.
A team headed by Vietnam veteran Jim Bourke believes it may have found the graves of Lance
Corporal Richard "Tiny" Parker, 24, and Private Peter Gillson, 20, who were killed on the same day and at the same place during
an operation in November, 1965.
Veterans' Affairs miniter De-Anne Kelly said Mr Bourke's team would shortly present their findings.
"The report will then be considered by Defence to determine the best way forward," she said.
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