Lieutenant Commander Leon Goldsworthy

Lieutenant Commander Leon Verdi Goldsworthy, GC, DSC, GM. A mining engineer from Broken Hill, New South Wales, Goldsworthy's initial attempt to enlist in the navy was thwarted by his small stature. His second attempt saw him accepted as a probationary sub-lieutenant in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve in March 1941. Shortly afterwards he was sent to Britain to complete his training, where he volunteered for the Rendering Mines Safe Section of HMS Vernon. He went on to distinguish himself, receiving the George Medal (1943) and George Cross (1944) for his work recovering and defusing mines. In January 1945 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery and leadership. Before the end of the war, he served with the US Navy in the South Pacific, defusing Japanese mines in the Philippines and Borneo. At war's end, Goldsworthy was an acting lieutenant commander and Australia's most highly decorated naval officer.