Today, on Vietnam Veterans' Day, we honour the courage, service and sacrifice of Australians who served during the Vietnam War and commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, one of the most significant engagements in Australia's military history.
On 18 August 1966, soldiers from D Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, faced overwhelming odds and engaged a much larger Viet Cong and North Vietnamese force in a rubber plantation near Long Tan, in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam.
After three hours of intense fighting in difficult conditions, 18 Australians were killed and 24 were wounded.
The Battle of Long Tan has become an enduring part of Australia's military history and remains a defining moment for those who served in the Vietnam War.
Sixty years later, the legacy of Long Tan continues to resonate across generations. Vietnam Veterans' Day provides an opportunity to recognise not only those who served on the battlefield, but also the families, loved ones and communities who supported them during and after the conflict.
Today we also pay respect to the more than 60,000 Australian service men and women who served in the Vietnam War. Of those, 523 made the ultimate sacrifice and nearly 2,400 were wounded.
Many Vietnam veterans returned home to a nation deeply divided over the war. In the decades since, Australians have come to better understand and appreciate the challenges faced by those who served.
Today, we acknowledge their contribution and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring their stories are remembered.
A commemoration service will commence at 11am at the Martin Place Cenotaph.
NSW Minister for Veterans David Harris said:
"Today, on this 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, is an opportunity for Australians to pause, remember and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of a generation of Australians who served, and their families.
"The Battle of Long Tan stands as a powerful reminder of the service and sacrifice of diggers during the Vietnam War - a conflict that spanned more than a decade and saw Australians serve on land, in the air and at sea.
"On this 60th anniversary, we honour all who served, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and acknowledge the lasting impact of their service. We will remember them."
