Posted on 12/02/2020 12:36:04 AM PST by naturalman1975
Seventy-eight years to the day since his heroic actions in World War II, Ordinary Seaman Edward 'Teddy' Sheean has become the first Navy crew member to be awarded Australia's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross.
In an investiture ceremony in Canberra on Tuesday, Ordinary Seaman Sheean was being honoured for his "remarkable gallantry, sacrifice and the significance of his actions to modern Australia".
In December 1942, the 18-year-old defied orders to abandon the rapidly-sinking HMAS Armidale off the coast of East Timor, which was under heavy attack by Japanese aircraft, and instead strapped himself to the ship's anti-aircraft gun and shot at enemy planes until he disappeared beneath the waves.
The award was presented to Sheean's nephew Garry Ivory.
Governor-General David Hurley said Sheean's story still resonated today.
"A rapidly sinking ship … the chance of survival real, but spurned in an instant by his decision to return to his gun to try to save his mates," he said.
"Sacrificing himself for others. It is inspirational, and it should inspire us.
"At that moment, Teddy Sheean exemplified the characteristics that the first Anzacs left us — mateship, endurance, courage and sacrifice."
Before the ceremony, Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan said the Tasmanian sailor's efforts saved the lives of the ship's 49 crew, damaged two enemy aircraft and forced them to retreat.
"He gave his life so those who remained on the surface had a fighting chance at survival. Teddy did not choose sacrifice in an attempt to win a war, he did it to save his friends," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at abc.net.au ...
Thanks
bttt
Wow. R.I.P. Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean.
These boys were men. A simple prayer up for this hero on this cold, December morning.
Naturalman has taught us that the Victoria Cross is the Commonwealth’s highest military honor and is awarded very,very seldom...even less often than our Congressional Medal of Honor.Men like this Australian sailor certainly qualify as being part of what Brokaw rightly calls “The Greatest Generation”.
I saved this powerful image. Might put it on my desktop for courage.
Good idea, that picture is inspiring.
It seems unlikely that Seaman Sheehan's remains were ever recovered but if they were where he's buried it's a warm summer day (it's summer Down Under).
Had to search this ANZAC thing out. So for those that don’t know:
Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during World War I which follows them from the 1915 battle of Galipoli, to the brutal trenches of France during the 1916 Somme battles, the 1917 Arias and Vimy Ridge battles to the final 1918 German offensives and the final ...
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