Even today, many people in the US and Australia don't realize the great contributions of these brave men during the Vietnam war. History has not had much to say about the RAN. I will quote from some links I found while researching: http://www.rancdt3.com/album.htm http://www.rancdt3.com/teams.htm "Clearance Diving Teams--"UNITED and UNDAUNTED" In May 1966 the RAN's underwater Clearance Diving Team 1 (CDT1) spent a short period in Vietnam working with USN divers. Almost a year later the Australian government announced the deployment of Clearance Diving Team 3. This team was made up of personnel from the RAN's two existing diving teams, CDT1 and CDT2, and after a period of additional training arrived in Vietnam on February 6, 1967. RAN CDT 3 was primarily employed in clearing rivers and shipping channels of mines and booby traps laid by the Viet Cong. This normally dangerous task was made especially so by the murky conditions under which the divers had to work. Other tasks assigned to the divers included salvage work and assisting in trawler and ship searches. While the Clearance Divers operated as a distinct unit a number of personnel were attached for short intervals to USN diving teams. Such attachments provided the RAN clearance divers with valuable experience and exposure to other operating techniques..." "Statistics aside, it is impossible to quantify the achievements of CDT3 in South Vietnam 1967 - 71. There is no doubt this small band of Australians was known and respected for professional ability wherever the men operated. Man for man, there probably was no more effective unit deployed during the war in Vietnam, on either side..."--From Lex McAulay's book "In the Ocean's Dark Embrace". Clearance Divers worked alongside US Navy Seals, US Army Air Force Marine and Navy EOD, US Army Rangers, US Cavalry (air & armoured), the Australian Army Training Team, US Advisors and South Vietnamese Army and Navy units. CDT3 had originally been directed not to participate in SEAL type operations or in operations along the Cambodian border, however the prohibition was lifted in January 1969 allowing team members to make full use of their unique skills. Consequently, the operational focus from 1969 shifted towards the provision of EOD support for offensive operations, with team members frequently being attached to US and South Vietnamese special forces. CDT3 was under the operational control of COMNAVFORV. (US Navy Commander Naval Forces,Vietnam), and received the Meritorious Unit Commendation from the US Secretary of the Navy. The text of the commendation is on the web site above. It was not uncommon to see RAN sailors aboard USN PBRs, and Swift Boats (PCFs) patrolling the rivers with their US counterparts. The first render shows a USN EOD sailor (left) and a RAN CDT-3 (right) sailor working side by side to neutralize a mine found floating down a river. VC did this often to see if, by chance, the mine would hit a valuable target. Second render shows where the mine will end up once it is neutralized. Pits, not unlike the one shown, were loaded with unexploded and neutralized ordnance until the team would detonate everything in one "blow". Thanks for viewing !