On 9 Feb 2026, the KPVCVBG presented CO 723 Squadron with artwork of Andy Perry, Helicopter Flight Vietnam, as part of the KPVCVBG Silver Star Artwork Project, funded by DVA. The painting was done by Joe Zepp.
Andy Perry is the only member of the RAN to be awarded the US Silver Star in Vietnam, which is the highest US award for gallantry in combat to a non-US citizen.
The HFV was part of the US Army 135th Helicopter Assault Company and an amalgam of RAN and US Army personnel, which became known as EMU, Experimental Military Unit.
The Navy sent 4 EMU contingents of roughly 50 personnel to Vietnam for 12 months each, apart from Contingent 4 which was curtailed to about 8 months when Australian forces were withdrawn
Aussies made up about 1/3 of the EMU strength and were generally among the best trained and most experienced, meaning they featured in many leadership positions, both flying and maintenance.
Andy Perry was a 20 years old ASLT when he went to Vietnam with the 3rd Contingent in December 1969. He quickly became an aircraft captain on UH-1H Slicks, and a Mission Lead.
His citation for the award of the Silver Star reads:
Sub-Lieutenant Perry distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 18 May 1970 while serving as Pilot on a UH-1H Helicopter, 135th Aviation Company, Royal Australian Navy.
On that date, Sub-Lieutenant Perry monitored a radio call stating that his unit was engaged in night combat assaults against a strong hostile force and that several aircraft had been knocked out of action. Without thought to his own safety or the arduous hours of flying he had already accomplished that day, he contacted the Command and Control aircraft and offered his assistance.
Sub-Lieutenant Perry joined the flight as lead aircraft and carried one lift of Vietnamese troops into the landing zone. On the approach, the flight was raked by heavy fire, causing damage to several aircraft. Sub-Lieutenant Perry’s aircraft was struck repeatedly, knocking out both chin bubbles, several important instruments, the side window and part of his pedal controls.
The second aircraft in the flight was knocked out of action and could not continue to fly. Grasping the situation, Sub-Lieutenant Perry announced that he would continue to lead. Despite the damage to his aircraft and the fact that he was bleeding from the face and had lost feeling in his right foot from the impact of enemy bullets, he led the flight back to the pickup zone and then into the same landing zone two more times.
Each time, heavy enemy fire was received, but by his courage, flying ability and cool commands of leadership, the flight of aircraft never faltered and the insertions were completed.
Sub-Lieutenant Perry’s conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.