Vice Admiral Donald Bruce Chalmers, (born 29 April 1942) is a retired senior commander of the
Royal Australian Navy (RAN), who served as
Chief of Navy from 1997 to 1999.
Early life
Chalmers was born on 29 April 1942 in
Young, New South Wales, to Donald Lisle Chalmers and Constance (née Eagles).
Career
Chalmers joined the RAN in 1958 and chose to specialise in navigation.
He served in and during the
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
The Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation or Borneo confrontation (also known by its Indonesian / Malay name, ''Konfrontasi'') was an armed conflict from 1963 to 1966 that stemmed from Indonesia's opposition to the creation of the Federation of ...
in the mid-1960s and went on to command from 1981 to 1983.
[ He was awarded the National Medal in 1977. In 1988, he attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom.][ He was appointed as an ]Officer of the Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...
in 1992 in recognition of his services as Commander of the first Royal Australian Navy Task Group during the Gulf War.[ He was awarded the ]Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight ...
by the United States Government in 1998 and retired in July 1999.[
]
Notes
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chalmers, Donald
1942 births
Graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies
Australian military personnel of the Gulf War
Australian military personnel of the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
Military personnel from New South Wales
Chiefs of Navy (Australia)
Commanders of the Legion of Merit
Graduates of Britannia Royal Naval College
Living people
Naval War College alumni
Officers of the Order of Australia
People from Young, New South Wales
Royal Australian Navy admirals