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US begins to funnel aid directly to the Saigon Government and agrees to train the South Vietnamese army.
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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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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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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.
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The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. Sir 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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5 RAR deploys by helicopter from 1ATF concentration area at Vung Tau to secure the Task Force area at Nui Dat. Private Errol Noack becomes the first national serviceman and member of 1ATF to die from enemy action.
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Concentration of 1ATF at Nui Dat is completed.
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D Company, 6 RAR, strength of 108 men, battles North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong (VC) 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.
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Morgan Gallup Poll finds that 63% are in favour of conscription, but only 37% approve of sending National Servicemen to Vietnam.
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Prime Minister Gorton indicates that Australia will not increase its commitment to Vietnam.
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Massacre of civilians by US soldiers at My Lai village. At least 450 unarmed people are killed.
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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.
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Ho Chi Minh dies in Hanoi, aged 79.
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About 100,000 people take part in a second moratorium march.
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Australian Labor Party elected to Government.
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Last US troops leave Vietnam.
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Australia closes its embassy in Saigon, completing withdrawal from Vietnam on ANZAC Day.
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Communist forces capture Saigon as the last Americans leave in scenes of panic and confusion.