Meritorious service
Volume 11, No. 47, July 13, 2006
By Hugh McKenzie

Proud moment: VCDF Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie, DG C2I Cdre Peter Leschen and Lt-Col Tony Ross who was awarded the medal. Photo by Cpl Simone Leibelt

LT-COL Tony Ross, C2I, has been awarded the US Meritorious Service Medal for his work in logistics in Iraq.
Introducing VCDF Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie, who presented the medal, DG C2I Cdre Peter Leschen said Lt-Col Ross had worked in Camp Victory specifically in the logistics plans area.

“He planned the logistics system for the Iraqi military, a 10-division force, and he planned the draw-down of the coalition logistics forces, primarily those of the US,” Cdre Leschen said.

“His greatest achievement, he tells me, was eating an inordinate amount of Baskins and Robins ice cream over a six-month period and maintaining his current figure.”

Reading the citation VCDF said in part, “Through his unwavering efforts and dedication his team was able to overcome monumental cultural and beauracratic challenges in assisting the Iraqi government to increasingly handle responsibility for the annual budget required to sustain the logistical system for the Iraqi armed forces …

Through his distinctive accomplishments Lt-Col Ross reflected great credit upon himself, the Multi-National Force Iraq, the Australian Army, and Australia.”

Presenting the medal, VCDF said, “You, and many like you in our organisation, have done fabulous work for our country and not too many of them get recognised in this way. Your standing with the US forces and therefore the standing of the ADF with them has been enhanced by your efforts, I thank you very much for that and I congratulate you for what was really a sterling effort, well done.”

To Andrea Ross and the Ross’s son, Cameron, VCDF said “the one commodity the ADF can’t provide is the support of a family and so your support to us, to him, is very much appreciated”.

“I always say, when we have these medal ceremonies, take a little time, get it off your chest, and let your partner have a look at it because she’s enabled you to get what you’ve got and so it’s a joint award,” he said.