85-year-old Nambucca Heads veteran Paul Sykes has been waiting 30 long years to have his service during the Vietnam War formally recognised with a Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal (VLSM). The VLSM was instigated to recognise the service of those who directly supported the war efforts but were not posted to Vietnam.

Since the medal was established in 1993, over 21,000 members of the Australian Armed Forces as well as Qantas pilots, medical and surgical teams involved in operations between 29 May 1964 to 27 January 1973 have been recognised.

Despite the Honours and Awards Tribunal findings advising both the Department of Defence and the Minister for Veterans Affairs that an award of the medal would be appropriate in Paul’s case, his requests to date have fallen on deaf ears.

“I am now one of only two aircrew who flew support for HMAS Sydney on Operation Trimdon who have not received the medal. My fellow crewman John Lardner who is now 87 years old and myself are still waiting,” Mr Sykes stated.

“Our case went to the Honours and Awards Tribunal, and their findings recommended the Minister change the requirements and allow us to receive the VLSM.  The Minister rejected the Tribunal’s findings, despite awarding other similar cases.

“So, we now have a situation where members of my own crew on Operation Trimdon, members who flew from Sangley Point and did not enter the area and most recently members of Ubon who did not enter the area have all received the VLSM.  Yet our claim continues to be rejected.”

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan has made multiple representations on Paul’s behalf to the Minister in recent months but has ultimately been denied each time.

“It really baffles me as to why both the Minister and the Department would not award these medals to both Paul and John,” Mr Conaghan stated.

“I met with the Minister Matt Keogh in person in June and provided Paul and John’s case. I then requested his reasons for denying the medals when members of Paul and John’s own crew have been previously awarded a VLSM. And other crewmen in almost identical missions have also received them. The response I received was over two months later sited rationale that ignored the extended eligibility criteria and inclusion of similar missions.

“These medals mean a great deal to Paul and John and they absolutely deserve them, as the Tribunal has found. Why continue to deny them? There is no cost to the department to do the right thing. It is just mean spirited and frankly cruel. I am calling on the Minister to do the right thing for these two proud Australians. They’ve waited long enough.”

ENDS