Each year, on 18 August we mark Vietnam Veterans’ Day honouring the bravery of Australians who served throughout the Vietnam War.
Approximately 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam. Australia’s initially small commitment of 30 military advisors in 1962 was expanded with the RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam in 1964 and then an infantry battalion group in 1965 and further to a task force in 1966. It stands as one of the longest 20th century conflicts Australians participated in, involving all three services of the military and civilian organisations.
Though hostilities in the Vietnam War continued until 1975, Australia began winding down its military commitment, with our last troops returning home in early 1973. In 1975, in the war’s final days, members of the RAAF returned to Vietnam to help with evacuations and humanitarian work.
The nation’s Roll of Honour records the names of 524 Australian service members (523 men and one woman) who lost their lives as a result of service in Vietnam, and 2 others who lost their lives in a support role at Ubon in Thailand. Thousands more who served in Vietnam were wounded, injured, or victims of illness. Many more veterans carried the physical and emotional scars of active service.
The date chosen to commemorate coincides with the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, one of the most significant engagements for Australian military forces of the conflict.
On 18 August 1966, mere kilometres away from the 1st Australian Task Force’s base at Nui Dat, Delta Company, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) found themselves greatly outnumbered by a mixed Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army force. Encountering substantial enemy forces in the Long Tan plantation, D Company's 105 men and 3 New Zealanders from 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery fought for four long hours. They received invaluable support from New Zealand gunners and RAAF helicopter crews from Nui Dat. Tragically, D Company suffered losses equivalent to a third of its strength, with 17 losing their lives and 24 wounded; another soldier from the relief force was killed in the closing stage of the battle. The North Vietnamese paid a significantly heavier price, with at least 245 troops killed.
The courage and fortitude of those who fought at Long Tan in the face of overwhelming odds remains a defining moment in Australia’s wartime history to this day.
Today, as we pause to remember those who served in the Vietnam War, we’re ensuring their legacy lives on so their efforts and sacrifices, and those who loved and supported them, are seen, heard and preserved for future generations.
Lest we forget.
Members of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7RAR waiting to be airlifted by US Army helicopters from an area just north of Phuoc Hai.
Image courtesy of the Australian War Memorial
To learn more, visit our Anzac Portal - Vietnam War 1962 to 1975 - Anzac Portal