80th anniversary of the sinking of USS Peary

[E&OE]

I send my respect to the Larrakia People and their Elders past, present and future.

Good morning.

It is a great privilege for Linda and me to be at the Memorial Service to remember the 88 men killed serving on U-S-S Peary eighty years ago.

We remember them.

We reflect upon their support of the Allied war effort in the Pacific.

We honour them for helping protect Australia on one of this country’s darkest days.

Peary was a workhorse in the Asiatic Fleet. She was no stranger to action and damage. Her crew had fought in previous actions, they were prepared to fight and they fought – as evidenced by their actions on 19 February 1942.

Peary’s service and that of her crew was in line with the proud history of the U-S Navy.

The United States has been with Australia in every conflict since we first fought as Allies in the First World War. They are a trusted partner.

Eighty years on from the sinking of Peary, Japan too is now a trusted partner of both Australia and the United States. Our respective nations have grown. We have shared values and our relationships are based on mutual respect.

Last Sunday in Adelaide I spoke at a Memorial Service in honour of the 22 Australian nurses killed on Bangka Island in 1942.

The circumstances surrounding their death were horrific and the incident is not as widely known as it should be.

I said to the audience that I felt it was dangerous to forget our history – because our history is what shapes us, drives us and helps give us character.

It is therefore important to remember the events of 19 February 1942.

Because in remembering what took place here in Darwin we are learning and thinking about who we are as people.

All of us coming together at this Service helps to keep our shared history alive. It speaks volumes to who you are – to who we are – as people.

In 1996-97, I attended the United States Army War College.

The College was founded in 1903, almost 119 years ago to the day. In his address at the laying of the cornerstone for the College, then Secretary of War Elihu Root began with these words:

‘Not to promote war, but to preserve peace by intelligent and adequate preparation to repel aggression, this institution is founded.’

‘Not to promote war, but to preserve peace …’ by remembering the cost of war.

That is why we are here today.

We will never forget the service and sacrifice of the 88 United States servicemen killed serving on U-S-S Peary eighty years ago.

We remember them.

We honour them.

We pledge to learn and better understand our shared history.

We move forward, determined to create a better world for all.

Lest we forget.

[Ends]