Australia Day honours: Leadership in foreign conflict

A senior army officer has been awarded one of the military’s highest honours in recognition of his exceptional leadership in the Middle East last year.

A senior army officer has been awarded one of the military’s highest honours in recognition of his exceptional leadership in the Middle East last year.

Major General Anthony Field is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross in the Australia Day honours “for distinguished command and leadership in warlike operations … in the Middle East region” from March 2020 to October 2021.

The Distinguished Service Cross was introduced in 1991 and is the highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian honours system. Major General Field is one of 111 armed forces personnel recognised.

“Major General Field’s exceptional leadership, professionalism and uncompromising commitment ensured unwavering support to operations Inherent Resolve, Freedom Sentinel, Spartan Shield and the Multi-National Force of Observers,” said an army spokesman.

“His selection to command United States forces on operations was recognition of his superb leadership ability and an indication of the respect and trust he had earned. His actions … reaffirmed Australia’s reputation as a highly competent and dependable partner.”

The Australia Day honours also recognise Brigadier Edward John Smeaton, awarded the nation’s second-highest military honour, the Distinguished Service Medal.

According to a Defence Force spokesman, Brigadier Smeaton “displayed exceptional dedication to the Afghan Defence and Security Forces through expert provision of combat supplies across the nation at critical points …”.

“He superbly led the men and women of the Australian Task Group in Afghanistan through an unprecedented sequence of challenges … he made a significant contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s mission and greatly enhanced the reputation of the Australian Defence Force,” the spokesman said.