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Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War was the longest in duration of any war in Australia's history.
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The Minister for Defence, Reginald Townley, announces intention to send 30 army advisers to South Vietnam.
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The first members of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) arrive in South Vietnam.
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Advisor, Sergeant William Hacking becomes the first Australian to die in Vietnam when his weapon accidentally discharges after being caught in vegetation.
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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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The 1st battalion (1RAR) is sent to South Vietnam for service with the US 173rd Airborne Brigade in Bien Hoa province.
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Prime Minister, Harold Holt announces the Australian commitment in South Vietnam will be increased to a 4350-man task force with the 1st Australian Task Force and support from the 1 Australian Logistic Support Group, the first time national servicemen will be sent to South Vietnam.
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The sixth battalion was engaged in one of Australia’s heaviest actions of the war in Long Tan. When the Viet Cong withdrew at nightfall, they left behind 245 dead. Of those, seventeen Australians were killed and 25 wounded.
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The Battle of Coral begins with an enemy attack that over runs the first battalion’s mortar Platoon. After a second attack on May 15, fifteen Australians were killed and 56 wounded. While enemy losses are estimated to have over 100 dead.
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Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese Communist leader who announced the formation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, dies in Hanoi aged 79.
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With the withdrawal of 25,000 US troops from South Vietnam, and plans by the US Government to withdraw another 50,000, Prime Minister, Sir John Gorton advises any further substantial reductions will include Australians.
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Australia had begun to reduce its military effort in Vietnam. The 8th battalion departed in November at the end of its 12 month tour in South Vietnam but is not replaced.
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The withdrawal of troops and all air units continued throughout 1971 with the last battalion leaving Nui Dat, while a group of advisers belonging to the team remained in Vietnam the following year. They move to Vung Tau, ending Australian combat operations in Phuoc Tuy province.
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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.
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Communists launch a major offensive in the north of South Vietnam. Australia closes its embassy in Saigon, completing withdrawal from Vietnam on ANZAC Day. The Australian Government helps the South Vietnam Government and the US Government in a humanitarian relief mission to evacuate and aid Vietnamese war orphans. Communists capture Saigon on the 30th of April.
