Reception to Honour Survivors of the USS Lexington (CV2) – Battle of the Coral Sea, May 1942

It is a great honour to welcome you all to Government House today. The presence of our 24^th Queensland Governor and 25^th Governor-General, Dame Quentin Bryce, and Mr Michael Bryce; our 23^rd Governor Major General Peter Arnison and Mrs Barbara Arnison; senior defence officials – from both nations; and Consul General, Ms Valerie Fowler, speaks volubly of the significance of today’s occasion, as we especially welcome Mr Cecil Wiswell here to Queensland Government House.

This year marks many important military anniversaries. They include the centenary of Australia’s involvement in major World War One battles in Europe and the Middle East, and the centenary of the United States’ entry into that war.  

But today we gather to commemorate another anniversary of great importance – 75 years since the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942.  

The battle was so near to our coast that, at times, Queensland cities like Townsville were closer to the fighting than to Brisbane.

As the battle raged, Prime Minister John Curtin informed Australians that ‘events ... of crucial importance to the war in this theatre’ were taking place.

Who could disagree?

Had the Japanese not been stopped, Port Moresby would likely have become a Japanese base on Australia’s doorstep. Vital shipping routes between Australia the US would have been blocked.    

But combined American and Australian naval forces did stop the Japanese, and forced the invasion force heading for Port Moresby to turn back.  

Right in the middle of the fight was ‘Lady Lex’, the USS Lexington CV2.  Her aircraft and the Yorktown’s took a heavy toll on Japanese ships and aircraft. 

The Lexington herself was attacked, severely damaged, and deliberately sunk by the USS Phelps.

We who were not there can never comprehend the experience of that desperate fight.

We can never share the survivors’ distress at the loss of more than 200 shipmates from the Lexington.  Or at the loss of the ‘Queen of the Flat-Tops’, for which they felt such pride and affection.

But we can at least say a heartfelt if inadequate ‘thank you’. And an equally heartfelt ‘thank you’ for the strength of Australian-American links, then and now.  

Our commemoration may not be as grand as others taking place at this time, but our gratitude is no less wholehearted.

As Governor, I thank the Australia-American Association most sincerely for its part in keeping alive the memory of the battle, and its importance.   

Speaking for all Queenslanders, I honour Mr Cecil Wiswell for his service on the Lexington. 

And, through Cecil, we honour the extraordinary courage and endurance of all those brave souls, American and Australian, who halted the Japanese advance so close to our shores 75 years ago.

Thank you.