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war started
US begins to funnel aid directly to the Saigon Government and agrees to train the South Vietnamese army. -
First Aussie Arrives
The first members of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) arrive in South Vietnam. -
First aussie dies
Advisor, Sergeant William Hacking becomes the first Australian to die in Vietnam when his weapon accidentally discharges after being caught in vegetation. -
us ship bombed
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 -
More aussie troop
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. -
Conscription
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. -
Battle of Nui Dat started
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. -
End of Nui dat
Concentration of 1ATF at Nui Dat is completed. -
Battle of Long Tan
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. -
Conscription continues
Morgan Gallup Poll finds that 63% are in favour of conscription, but only 37% approve of sending National Servicemen to Vietnam. -
Australia begin to withdraw
Prime Minister Gorton indicates that Australia will not increase its commitment to Vietnam. -
Massica in a village
Massacre of civilians by US soldiers at My Lai village. At least 450 unarmed people are killed. -
Battle of bihn 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. -
North Vietnam leader dies
Ho Chi Minh dies in Hanoi, aged 79. -
Protest march
About 100,000 people take part in a second moratorium march. -
Labnour party elected
Australian Labor Party elected to Government. -
Last Us troop leaves Vietnam
Last US troops leave Vietnam. -
Last aussie leaves vietnam
Australia closes its embassy in Saigon, completing withdrawal from Vietnam on ANZAC Day. -
End of the war
Communist forces capture Saigon as the last Americans leave in scenes of panic and confusion.