Navy Recognized in Australia Day Honors
Eighteen Royal Australian Navy members have been recognized in the Australia Day 2016 Honours List.
The Australian honors system recognizes and celebrates the outstanding contribution and achievements of a diversity of Australians. It consists of a number of orders, decorations and medals that award people for actions that benefit the nation.
Established in 1975 with the creation of the Order of Australia, the system's scope has grown since then and over time has replaced the British honors system that previously applied to Australians.
The system includes an array of awards, both civil and military, for gallantry, bravery, distinguished service, meritorious service and long service. New honors can be awarded at any time, but conventionally most are awarded on Australia Day, January 26, and on the Queen's Birthday (as observed in Australia’s eastern states on the second Monday in June).
MEMBER (AM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Rear Admiral Anthony Carl Dalton CSM RAN for exceptional service in the field of helicopter acquisition and sustainment in the Australian Defence Force.
Rear Admiral Gregory John Sammut CSC RAN for exceptional performance as the Head Future Submarine Program, the Director General Submarine Capability and the Director Submarine and Specialist Ship.
Commodore Brett Stephen Wolski RAN for distinguished service as Director General Workforce Planning Branch, Defence People Group, and as Director Workforce Modelling Forecasting and Analysis, Defence People Strategy and Policy Group.
MEDAL (OAM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Warrant Officer Rachelle Lee Burnett for meritorious performance of duty as the Naval Police Coxswain in ARDENT FOUR and HMAS Toowoomba during the period 2009 to 2014.
Warrant Officer Stuart Ronald O'Brien for meritorious service as a Maritime Logistics Personnel Sailor in the field of personnel services and as the founder of the Defence Gay and Lesbian Information Service.
Chief Petty Officer Jay Barrett Stevenson for meritorious service as a Senior Sailor in the field of Personnel Management and Support.
Warrant Officer Nigel Mark Williams CSM for meritorious service as a Chief Petty Officer Bosun in the Royal Australian Navy.
COMMENDATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Captain Craig Anthony Powell RAN for distinguished performance of duties in warlike operations as the Director of Operations, Combined Maritime Forces, Maritime Operations Advisor, Joint Task Force 633 on Operation SLIPPER from December 2013 to June 2014.
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC)
Lieutenant Commander John David DE Bomford RAN for outstanding devotion to duty as the Marine Engineering Officer in HMAS Stuart from December 2013 to March 2015.
Commander David Murray Walter RAN for outstanding achievement as the Commander Engineer in HMAS Canberra.
Captain Bradley Ian White RAN for outstanding achievement in the performance of duty as the Director of the Navy People Career Management Agency.
BAR TO THE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL (CSM and Bar)
Warrant Officer Debbie Ann Butterworth OAM CSM for meritorious devotion to duty as Ship's Warrant Officer in HMAS Success.
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL (CSM)
Leading Seaman Mitchell John Austin for meritorious achievement in the performance of duty as Leading Seaman Propulsion Systems Marine Technician in HMAS Arunta from March 2014 to March 2015.
Warrant Officer Gordon Keith Davis for meritorious devotion to duty as Command Senior Sailor of NUSQN 725 and Senior Maintenance Unit Coordinator during 2013 and 2014.
Commander Narelle Melanie Devine RAN for meritorious achievement as the Deputy Director-Cyber (Maritime) in Joint Capability Coordination Division.
Petty Officer David Robert Howard for meritorious devotion to duty as the Communications Systems and Navigation Aids Supervisor in HMAS Sirius.
Lieutenant Commander Petrus Martinus RAN for meritorious achievement as the Staff Officer Grade Two Logistics Operations within Headquarters Joint Task Force 639 on Operation RESOLUTE.