Nephew of Tasmanian naval war hero, Edward 'Teddy' Sheean, said his uncle chose to risk his own life when he saw his mates in trouble.
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Sheean's nephew, Garry Ivory, spoke of his uncle's last moments at a merit review hearing held by the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal on Tuesday.
Ordinary Seamen Sheean, of Latrobe, died in December 1942 when the HMAS Armidale sunk off the coast of East Timor whilst under attack by the Japanese.
Sheean chose not to abandon ship but instead returned to his anti-aircraft gun and took down at least one airplane, saving the lives of his shipmates as he went down with the ship.
"When he did this he became the focus of the enemy, drawing fire away from his mates," Mr Ivory said.
Sheean was only 18 years old.
Following hearings in Hobart that concluded on Tuesday, the Tribunal will assess the merit of Sheean's actions and deliver a report, including its recommendation as to whether Sheean should be post-humorously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, to government.
Should Sheean's merit review be successful, he would be the first Royal Australian Navy member to be awarded the Victoria Cross.
Mr Ivory told the Tribunal it was his 31st year seeking appropriate recognition for Teddy Sheean.
"The Sheean family have been campaigning for recognition of Teddy's selfless act of courage and valour for the last seven decades, me personally for thirty years and Teddy's brothers and sisters prior to my involvement," Mr Ivory said.
"We are grateful for the opportunity this Tribunal has given us."
Mr Ivory told the Tribunal Sheean's actions fulfilled all four criteria required to be awarded a Victoria Cross.
RSL Tasmania vice president David Webb said the RSL Tasmania branch firmly believed Sheean's actions warranted Australia's highest award.
"Sheean's act of bravery and self-sacrifice hindered the attack on his crew members, who had abandoned ship, in the ocean," Mr Webb said.
"Firing until the end, he died trying to save others.
"Sheean's actions and self-sacrifice measure the actions of British sailors awarded the Victoria Cross."
Historian Dr Tom Lewis said it is not possible to attest to the severity and nature of Sheean's wounds at the time of his heroic actions, or how long he was at the gun for before the HMAS Armidale went under, taking Sheean with it.
"I don't think you get any more conspicuous gallantry than this," Dr Lewis said.