ANZAC Day

Australians and the Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was Australia's longest military engagement of the 20th Century.

The arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam in South Vietnam during July and August 1962 marked the start of Australia’s involvement in the war.

By the time the war had come to an end, almost 60,000 Australians served during a decade of conflict between 1962 and 1972. Tragically, 523 of them died and 3000 were wounded.

Vietnam Veteran's Day - Veterans Morning Tea

Sunday 18th August, 10:45am

On Vietnam Veterans' Day, 18th August, the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966, we pause and reflect on the bravery, teamwork and endurance of the almost 60,000 Australians who served during the 10 years of our involvement in the Vietnam War.

We honour those veterans who:

lost their lives during battle
returned home wounded, ill or injured
lost their lives in the years since they returned
still carry the physical and emotional scars of their service

We also pause to reflect on the impact of service on veterans' families.

We invite our veterans to come and join President Fred Schmager to an informal gathering to remember and pay respect to all Vietnam Veterans.

This will be a great opportunity to connect with other veterans.

Morning tea will be provided.

Please RSVP to functions.events@upweybelgraversl.org.au

Running Rabbit Military Museum will be open

Battle of Long Tan

The Battle of Long Tan was a significant moment in Australia's war in Vietnam.

On 18 August 1966, in a rubber plantation near the village of Long Tan, Australian soldiers fought one of their fiercest battles of the war.

The men of Delta Company, 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, faced a force of some 2000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops. The battle was fought in wet and muddy conditions during a heavy tropical downpour.

By the end of the day, 17 Australians had been killed in action and 25 were wounded, one of whom died a few days later. This was the largest number of casualties in a single operation since the Australian Task Force had established its base at nearby Nui Dat the previous April.

On this day, we commemorate all the battles fought by Australians in Vietnam, from large-scale operations to platoon and section-level encounters. We remember the sailors of the Royal Australian Navy who supported land operations, and members of the Royal Australian Air Force who served in combat and transport roles.

How the Vietnam War and Battle of Long Tan shaped us

Commemoration of Vietnam Veterans

Some veterans didn't feel properly honoured for having served their country in Vietnam. In 1987, veterans received the welcome home parade that some felt had been denied them when they returned from war. Around 22,000 Vietnam veterans marched through Sydney, in front of a crowd of some 100,000 Australians. The book Homecomings recounts those experiences.

The Vietnam Forces National Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra was officially dedicated on 3 October 1992. It commemorates all the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force and associated personnel who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Australian War Memorial: Vietnam War 1962-75

The following is an extract from the Australian War Memorial website.

The arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in South Vietnam during July and August 1962 was the beginning of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War. Australia's participation in the war was formally declared at an end when the Governor-General issued a proclamation on 11 January 1973. The only combat troops remaining in Vietnam were a platoon guarding the Australian embassy in Saigon, which was withdrawn in June 1973.

The Australian commitment consisted predominantly of army personnel, but significant numbers of air force and navy personnel and some civilians also took part.

Where they served

Army

War diaries were kept by the commanding officer of the unit to record their daily activities and location. The war diaries are held in the Official records series AWM95, which have been digitised and are available for viewing on the Memorial's website.

Royal Australian Navy

Reports of Proceedings (ROPs), known earlier as “Letters of Proceedings”, are summaries of a ship’s or shore base’s activities. The reports were submitted by commanding officers to the Chief of Naval Staff. ROPs in the Memorial’s collection are being progressively digitised.
Other ships' records can be found by searching the Record Search database using the name of the ship as your keyword.

Royal Australian Air Force

The Research Centre holds microfilm copies of operational diaries for No 2 Squadron (RAAF), 1961-1971 in official records series AWM66 28/1/4/1.
Some records of RAAF operations in Vietnam are also held at the National Archives of Australia. These can be located using the Record Search

For more research, data, information from the Australian War Memorial click here

RSL: Veterans Assistance

RSL Victoria is here to provide assistance and support to past and present service personnel and their families.

The ability to provide this supports comes from donations, fundraising and membership funds.

Support including:

Relief from Financial Hardship

Crisis Accommodation

Combating Social Isolation

Veteran Engagement Programs

Employment Pathways and Transition

Advocacy for DVA Compensation

Household repairs and maintenance

Donate Today

Buy a Membership Today

The Wearing of Medals

War Medals may be worn only by the persons upon whom they were conferred and in no case does the right to wear war medals or their ribbons devolve upon a widow, parent, son or relative when the recipient is dead. Modifications of the above rule are permitted in connection with Remembrance and ANZAC Day ceremonies when relatives who desire to avail themselves on those days only, of the distinction of wearing the decoration and medals of deceased relatives, may do so ON THE RIGHT BREAST.

War medals (with certain exceptions) are worn on the left breast of the coat or in a corresponding place on the dress, as the case may be. War medals are worn to show the Sovereign’s head. War medals (or Campaign medals) are worn in the order of the dates of Campaigns for which they have been conferred, the first being obtained being farthest from the left shoulder. It is a Federal offence to wear medals and/or decorations for which you are not entitled.