Today is Vietnam Veterans’ Day.

Originally known as 'Long Tan Day', 18 August commemorates the Battle of Long Tan which took place in 1966. Eighteen Australians lost their lives and 24 were wounded, the largest number of casualties in one operation since the Australian task force had arrived a few months earlier.


Over time, Long Tan Day was adopted by Vietnam veterans as a special day of remembrance for all Australians who served and died during our ten-year involvement in the Vietnam War.

Some 60,000 Australians served in the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1972, 521 of whom died; almost 2,400 were wounded.

Today we remember all our Vietnam veterans of the Army, Air Force and Navy. We give thanks and pay our respects to the servicemen and servicewomen commemorated on the Roll of Honour, and to the survivors who came home.
Image: Exhausted soldiers from 6RAR search for Viet Cong Forces on the day after the battle of Long Tan. 19 August 1966. Photographer: William Cunneen, CUN/66/0692/VN