Australia's Involvement In The Vietnam War

By jamesthomson98

  • The Vietnam War

    The Minister for Defence announces intention to send 30 army advisers to South Vietnam.

  • The Vietnam War

    The first members of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam arrive in South Vietnam.

  • The Vietnam War

    Advisor, Sergeant William Hacking becomes the first Australian to die in Vietnam when his weapon accidentally discharges after being caught in vegetation.

  • The Vietnam War

    Vietnam's President Diem and his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu are murdered in a military coup, with the foreknowledge of the US Government.

  • The Vietnam War

    Lyndon Johnson becomes US president after the assassination of John Kennedy, and announces that the US will continue support of South Vietnam. By year's end 15,000 US advisors are serving in Vietnam, which received $500m in US aid that year.

  • The Vietnam War

    The Minister for Defence announces the AATTV will be increased to 83 advisers with expanded role.

  • The Vietnam War

    Warrant Officer Class 2, Kevin Conway becomes the first Australian to die as a result of enemy action in South Vietnam.

  • The Vietnam War

    Following a reported attack on US ships in Tonkin Gulf, US Congress passes Tonkin Gulf Resolution giving President Johnson extraordinary powers to act in South Vietnam.

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    The Prime Minister Robert Menzies announces introduction of national service to increase the army’s strength from 22,750 to 37,500. Opposition to the war in Vietnam is not accepted as a reason for exemption.

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    Australian Government, responding to requests from the US President and South Vietnam Prime Minister for 200 additional advisers, offers to send ground troops to South Vietnam.

  • The Vietnam War

    WW2 Kevin Wheatley refuses to leave his mate, WW2 Bob Swanston, and is killed. His actions earned him Australia’s highest honour, the Victoria Cross.

  • The Vietnam War

    The Battle Of Long Tan, D Company, 6 RAR, strength of 108 men, battles North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces estimated at between 1500 and 2500 until relieved by A Company, carried in by armoured personnel carriers of 3 Troop, 1 APC Squadron. The enemy leaves 245 bodies on the battlefield while 17 Australian infantrymen and one APC crewman are killed. The Company earns the US Presidential Citation.

  • The Vietnam War

    Prime Minister Harold Holt missing, presumed drowned off Portsea in Victoria. His body is never recovered.

  • The Vietnam War

    The Battle of Coral & Balmoral, The Battle for Fire Support Base (FSB) Coral begins with an enemy attack that overruns 1 RAR Mortar Platoon and captures one of 102 Field Battery’s gun pits. The base is cleared with the help of helicopter gunships. After a second attack on May 15, Australian casualties around Coral stand at 15 killed and 56 wounded while enemy losses are estimated to exceed 100 dead.

  • The Vietnam War

    The Battle of Binh Bah, Two companies from 5 RAR, supported by APC and Tank troops and Australian helicopter gunships, engage in house-to-house fighting to clear the town of a strong force of NVA regulars. The fighting destroys much of the town and costs the NVA more than 100 dead for the loss of one Australian.

  • The Vietnam War

    About 100,000 people take part in a second moratorium march.

  • The Vietnam War

    The Prime Minister announces the bulk of Australian forces in South Vietnam are to be withdrawn, leaving only a modified training team. The period of national service is reduced from two years to 18 months.

  • The Vietnam War

    USA and North Vietnam sign a peace agreement.

  • The Vietnam War

    The Saigon Embassy Guard Platoon are the last Australian troops to leave Vietnam. After departure of the Embassy Guard, Transport Support Flight Butterworth continued their regular Saigon courier service.

  • The Vietnam War

    South Vietnam's President Nguyen Van Thieu declares that war has begun again.

  • The Vietnam War

    Australia closes its embassy in Saigon, completing withdrawal from Vietnam on ANZAC Day. The final task of Australia's military in the Vietnam War is conducted on ANZAC Day, when the RAAF participates in evacuation of the Australian Embassy and final withdrawal of personnel from Saigon.