HMAS Stuart Sailors Recognised for Saving a US Navy Sailor

Sailors from Australian warship HMAS Stuart were recognised for saving the life of an American sailor during Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 14.

Leading Seaman Maritime Logistics – Personnel Operations Matthew Sales, Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Benjamin Ridd, Able Seaman Electronic Technician Freya Gosnell and Able Seaman Electronic Technician Daniel Illman were recognised by the Commanding Officer of the US Navy Regional Center – Singapore, Captain Scott Murdock, USN, for their actions in coming to the assistance of a sailor experiencing a medical emergency.

The members were on shore leave at the ‘Terror Club’ recreation facility in Sembawang Naval Base, Singapore, during the Exercise, when they came across a man in difficulty.

Able Seaman Gosnell said:

We were just in the right place at the right time and did what we needed to do. We saw the sailor on the floor, reacted and our Navy training just kicked in.

The USN Citation signed by Captain Murdock commended the Australian personnel’s swift action and credited their swift response with saving the sailor’s life.

HMAS Stuart was in Singapore participating in Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 14, an annual Five Powers Defence Force Agreement (FPDA) defence exercise involving Army, Navy and Air Force assets of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

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Press release, Image: Australian Navy