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Commemorative lapel pin
Commemorative lapel pin

Commemorative lapel pin

Date1925
Object number00047808
NameLapel pin
MediumMetal, enamel
DimensionsOverall: 20 x 20 x 3 mm, 7 g
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Josef Lebovic Gallery
DescriptionThis small lapel pin features a colour United States flag, encircled with the words 'Visit of the American Fleet to Australia, July 1925'. It was produced as a souviner of the United States Navy goodwill tour to Australia and New Zealand in 1925. On 23 July 1925, Sydney hosted eight of the US Navy Battle Fleet's largest ships, including USS CALIFORNIA, USS COLORADO, USS TENNESSEE, USS MARYLAND, USS WEST VIRGINIA, USS NEW MEXICO, USS MISSISSIPPI and USS IDAHO. The fleet departed for New Zealand on 6 August.SignificanceThis lapel pin is significant as a souvenir of the 1925 goodwill cruise of the United States Battle Fleet to Australia, which renewed the Australian-American alliance established by the Great White Fleet visit in 1908. The 1925 visit contributes to a long history of US Naval visits to Australian ports starting with the US Exploring Expedition in 1839-1840, followed by the 1908 visit of the Great White Fleet and later visits in the 1940s in the lead-up to World War II.