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Australia Send 30 Advisers to Vietnam
24 May 1962: The Minister for Defence (Reginald Townley) announces intention to send 30 army advisers to South Vietnam (SVN). -
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AUSTRALIAS INVOLVEMENT IN THE VIETNAM WAR
Australia's Involvement in the Vietnam War24 May 1962 - 2 Dec 1972 -
The Australian Army Begin Training In Vietnam
3 August 1962: The first members of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) arrive in South Vietnam. -
First Australian to Die
01 June 1963: Advisor, Sergeant William Hacking becomes the first Australian to die in Vietnam when his weapon accidentally discharges after being caught in vegetation. -
Selective Conscription is Introduced
10th Nov, 1964: Selective conscription is introduced Sir Robert Menzies announces the introduction of selective conscription towards 20-year old males to serve in the army and increase their numbers to 37500 from 22750. An opposing view of the war will not be accepted as an excuse to be exempted from the conscription. -
WO2 Kevin Wheatley dies defending a comrade
13 Nov 1965: Warrant Officer Class Two, Kevin Wheatley, dies while protecting a wounded comrade. This earned him Australia's hightest honour, the Victorian Cross -
Massacre
16 March 1968: Massacre of civilians by US soldiers at My Lai village. At least 450 unarmed people are killed. -
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Ray Simpson Displays Outstanding Heroism
6/11 May 1968: Serving as a company commander with a Vietnamese mobile strike force, WO2 Ray Simpson displays outstanding heroism and disregard for personal safety in two firefights with enemy forces. His actions will make him the third member of the AATTV to be awarded the Victoria Cross. -
Battle of Coral & Balmoral
13 May 1968: Series of actions fought between the 1st Australian Task force (1ATF) and 7th Division of Viet Cong forces. It became the bloodiest engagement for Australians are 25 Australians were killed and nearly 100 wounded durin -
Rayene Stewart Simpson
6th May, 1969: Warrant Officer Class Two, Rayene Stewart Simpson rescues a fellow warrant officer and commits an unsuccessful attack on a stronger opposition, in the Kom Tum Province. 5 days later, he fights alone against heavy odds to cover the evacuation of a number of casualties. He awarded with the Victorian Cross. -
The Battle of Binh Bah
06 June 1969: 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. -
Turinig of The Tides
Morgan Gallup Poll finds 55% want Australians brought home from Vietnam. -
Peace Treaty
27 January 1972: USA and North Vietnam sign a peace agreement. -
Respond to Call
29 March 1975
Australian Government responds to urgent requests for transport assistance from Governments of South Vietnam and United States by hastily dispatching a contingent of seven RAAF Hercules and two Dakota aircraft to Vietnam on a humanitarian relief mission The RAAF is utilized in various roles during final weeks of the war, including movement of refugees, transport of Red Cross and UN supplies, and on 4th and 17th April, evacuation of Vietnamese war orphans from Saigon to Bangkok du -
Conscription Ends
05 December 1972: Conscription ends, draft resisters are released from jail and pending prosecutions for draft resistance are dropped. -
Final Task Of Australian Military
25 April 1975: 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 -
End Of War
30 April 1975: Communist forces capture Saigon as the last Americans leave in scenes of panic and confusion.
