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South Vietnam's President Ngo Dinh Diem visits Australia. Prime Minister Menzies reaffirms support.
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The Minister for Defence
announces intention to send 30 army advisers to South Vietnam. -
Australian Army Training
The first members of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam arrive in South Vietnam. -
first Australian dies
Advisor, Sergeant William Hacking becomes the first Australian to die in Vietnam when his weapon accidentally discharges after being caught in vegetation. -
The Minister for Defence announces
The Minister for Defence (Hon. Shane Partridge) announces the AATTV will be increased to 83 advisers with expanded role. -
Warrant Officer Class 2,
Kevin Conway becomes the first Australian to die as a result of enemy action in South Vietnam. -
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. -
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 Prime Minister announces
The Prime Minister announces the dispatch of an infantry battalion to South Vietnam, with an armoured personnel carrier (APC) troop, a signals troop and a logistic support company. -
Advance party from 1st Battalion
Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), departs for South Vietnam, for service with the US 173rd Airborne Division. -
HMAS Sydney arrives at Vung Tau, South Vietnam, carrying the bulk of the Australian force.
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Australian Government approves
increase of Australian forces to a battalion group, supported by an artillery, additional APCs, engineers, army helicopters, light aircraft and more logistic support. -
A Morgan Gallup Poll finds 56% of those polled were in favour of continuing the war in Vietnam.
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A demonstration against the war in Sydney results in 65 arrests.
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WO2 Kevin "Dasher" Wheatley
refuses to leave his mate, WO2 Bob Swanston, and is killed. His actions earned him Australia’s highest honour, the Victoria Cross. -
Harold Holt succeeds Menzies as Prime Minister.
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Holt announces the Australian commitment in South Vietnam will be Increased to a 4350-man task force, and will include conscripts.
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The 1st Australian Task Force will include two infantry battalions, a Special Air Service squadron, combat and support logistic units and eight RAAF Iroquois helicopters.
will include two infantry battalions, a Special Air Service squadron, combat and support logistic units and eight RAAF Iroquois helicopters. -
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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Long Tan
The Battle of Long Tan occurred in the late afternoon of 18 August 1966 in a rubber plantation 4500 metres to the east of the Task Force base at Nui Dat. -
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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Major Peter Badcoe, AATTV, is killed in action leading two companies of Vietnamese regional forces
For his outstanding heroism in this and two previous actions, he will be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross -
Morgan Gallup Poll
finds 62% in favour of continuing the war in Vietnam. -
The Australian Battalion is re-designated 2RAR/NZ/ANZAC.
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The Prime Minister announces an increase of 1700 to Australia’s commitment in South Vietnam, including a third infantry battalion and a tank squadron.
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Prime Minister Harold Holt missing, presumed drowned off Portsea in Victoria. His body is never recovered.
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John Grey Gorton sworn in as Prime Minister.
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Australian and American people are lead to major changes in government policy towards the conflict in South Vietnam.
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Prime Minister Gorton
indicates that Australia will not increase its commitment to Vietnam. -
Australian casualties around Coral stand at 15 killed and 56 wounded while enemy losses are estimated to exceed 100 dead.
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A second attack on Balmoral is crushed by combined infantry, tank, artillery and mortar fire, leaving 47 enemy dead and six prisoners for 1 Australian killed.
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WO2 Keith Payne
also a company commander with a mobile strike force, earns the AATTV’s fourth Victoria Cross. -
The Battle of Binh Bah
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Morgan Gallup Poll finds 55% want Australians brought home from Vietnam.
