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| 22/05/08 |
| Vietnam Veterans Family Study |
| Vietnam Veterans and families urged to participate |
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Website Copyright VVAA Victoria and VVS 2007 - Version 1.001
Royal Australian Navy - Full List of Ships Tour Dates
HMAS Brisbane
2 Tours: 20 Mar 1969 -13 Oct 1969, Mar 1971-15 Oct 1971
Together with other Australian destroyers, HMAS Brisbane provided Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS) along the South Vietnamese coast. Her second deployment was the last combat tour of a RAN destroyer.
HMAS Perth
3 Tours: 2 Sep 1967 - 10 Apr 1968, 14 Sep 1968 - 20 Apr 1969, 14 Sep 1970 - 8 Apr 1971
On 18 Oct 1967, during her first deployment, Perth was hit by an artillery shell which penetrated one deck. In her six-month deployment HMAS Perth came under fire four times and was the only Australian ship hit by enemy fire.
HMAS Hobart
3 Tours: 7 Mar 1967 - 27 Sep 1967, 22 Mar 1968 -11 Oct 1968, 6 Mar 1970 -17 Oct 1970
Between 1967 and 1971, Australian destroyers were attached to the United States Seventh fleet for six-month tours of duty. HMAS Hobart was the first Australian destroyer deployed. During her second deployment to Vietnam, Hobart was accidentally attacked by US aircraft. The ship was damaged and two Australians were killed. During her second deployment Hobart was under fire on three occasions. The deployment was mainly involved in NGFS in support of a joint Australian/ARVN sweep between the Long Hai hills and the coastline.
HMAS Vendetta
15 Sep 1969 -11 Apr 1970
HMAS Vendetta was the only Australian-built warship to serve in Vietnam and was the first Australian Daring Class destroyer to see active service. During her one deployment, Vendetta steamed 39,558 miles and fired more than 13,000 shells.
Clearance Diving Team 3
6 Feb 1967 - 11 Apr 1971
In early 1967 a team of one officer and five sailors known as Clearance Diving Team 3 formed for service in Vietnam. The team was assigned to Vung Tau Harbour defence between Feb 67 and Aug 70, and was then stationed at Da Nang until Apr 71 when the unit was withdrawn from Vietnam. Eight contingents saw service in Vietnam.
RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam
16 Oct 1967 - 14 Jun 1971
On 16 Oct 67 eight RAN helicopter pilots and support staff joined the US Army 135th Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam. The RAN contingents served with the Americans till 1971. The RAN pilots flew their last mission on 8 Jun 71 and the experiment of a mixed Australian Navy and American Army helicopter unit had been successful.
RAN Detachment 9 Squadron RAAF
Jun 1966 - May 1969
The RAN Detachment of 9 Squadron RAAF comprised eight Fleet Air Arm pilots operating in direct support of the 1st Australian Task Force. Australian Force Logistic Support All three Australian services provided logistic support to Australian forces in Vietnam.
HMAS Sydney
May 1965 -11 Mar 1972
The troop transport HMAS Sydney was the first RAN ship to have operational service in Vietnam. She completed 22 voyages in 7 years.
Also serving with HMAS Sydney were:
Detachment of 725 Squadron (8 April 1967 - 19 June 1967) and
Detachment of 817 Squadron (1 December 1967 - 16 February 1968, 26March 1968 - 26 April 1968, 18 May 1968 - 16 June 1968 and circa 28 October 1968 - 6 December 1968)2
HMAS Jeparit
9 Jun 1966 -15 Mar 1972
Formerly the Australian National Line cargo ship - MV Jeparit. She completed 43 voyages to Vietnam carrying military supplies and civil aid cargoes. She was commissioned into the RAN on 11 Dec 1969 and paid off on 15 Mar 1972.
HMAS Boonaroo
May 1966
Formerly the Australian National Line cargo ship - MV Boonaroo, was commissioned into the RAN 1 Mar 1967 and paid off 8 May l967. She completed 2 voyages to Vietnam.
RAN Medical Officers
Thirteen RAN RANR and RANVR served in Vietnam. Some served on the Australian destroyers and others with the 1st Australian Field Hospital and with the US Army and Naval Hospitals.
RAN Chaplains
Fleet Chaplains attended to the spiritual needs of RAN, and allied servicemen in Vietnam.
Royal Australian Army
Australian Force Vietnam (AFV)
Headquarters Australian Army Force Vietnam |
Headquarters Army Assistance Group Vietnam |
Australian Embassy Guard Platoon |
Defence and Employment Platoon |
Field Operations Research Section |
Headquarters Australian Force Vietnam Cash Office |
Australian Civil Affairs Unit |
Postal Unit |
The function of Headquarters was the administrative command of all Australian forces in Vietnam. Initially, it was headquarters for Army units. From May l966, as the other services assumed an operational role in Vietnam, it included both Navy and RAAF components. The total strength was approximately 250.
1 Australian Task Force (1ATF)
Headquarters 1 Australian Task Force |
Detachment 1 Division Cash Office |
Detachment Australian Force Vietnam Cash Office |
Provost Section 1 Provost Company |
1 Australian Reinforcement Unit (1 ARU) |
Defence and Employment Platoon (Hawke Force) |
HQ 1 ATF commanded the Task Force. The Task Force included infantry battalions, an artillery regiment, an armoured squadron, a cavalry squadron, and other supporting arms and services. Approximately 200 staff at Headquarters planned and controlled operations. HQ 1 ATF was located at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province between Apr 1966 and Dec 1971.
Australian Logistic Support Company1
This unit was a part of the 1 RAR Group that deployed to Vietnam on 25 May 1965 and it was redesignated as 1 ALSG on 6 April 1966 . See next entry for information about 1 ALSG.
1 Australian Logistic Support Group (1 ALSG)
Australian Logistic Support Company Headquarters |
2 Detachment Australian Force Vietnam |
Cash Office |
Detachment 1 Division Postal Unit |
Detachment 1 Comm Z Postal Unit |
Detachment 5 ASCO Unit |
Headquarters 2 Australian Force Canteen Unit (AFCU) |
Detachment 2 AFCU |
1 Platoon 2 AFCU |
67 Ground Liaison (GL) Section |
1 Australian Rest and Convalescence Centre |
AFV Amenities and Welfare Unit |
1 Psychological Operations Unit |
The role of 1 ALSG was to command logistic support units. HQ also commanded seven detachments of logistic support elements with a total strength of 149. Upon the establishment of the 1st Australian Task Force at Nui Dat on 1 Apr 1966, 1 ALSG was raised at Vung Tau. HQ 1 ALSG commanded 19 units and sub-units, with a total strength of 1015. Units under command of HQ 1 ALSG provided logistic support to all Australian forces in SVN, including the RAAF and RAN.
Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV)
31 Jul 1962 -19 Dec 1972
On 24 May 1962 the Minister for Defence, Mr. Townley, announced that up to 30 military advisers were to be sent to Vietnam. This announcement preceded the formation of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, which arrived in Saigon on 3 Aug 1962. For the next 10 years members were rotated through the team for a 12-month tour of duty. The team was withdrawn from Vietnam and disbanded on 19 Dec 1972. As the war progressed team members were gradually spread throughout South Vietnam and into the Mekong Delta. In 1970 the team began to concentrate in Phuoc Tuy Province to the east of Saigon, and by 1972 the entire team was located there.
The Primary role of the team was to provide training to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) but by 1964 emphasis had shifted to advising South Vietnamese field units, para military forces and Special Forces. In some cases team members commanded units rather than advised. In 1970 the team reverted to its original role of training.
The AATTV became the most highly decorated Australian unit ever, its decorations including four VCs , two DSOs, three OBEs, six MBEs, six MCs, 20 DCMs, 49 MIDs as well as numerous other Australian and foreign decorations. The unit was awarded the United States Meritorious Unit Citation and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. AATTV members participated in almost all major battles involving the ARVN in 1 Corps from 1964 to 1970. Of the 990 who served with AATTV, 30 died on active service in South Vietnam and 122 were wounded in action. Ten members of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment served with the team.
Royal Australian Armoured Corps
1 APC Troop |
14 Sept 1965 - 31 Mar 1966 |
1 APC Squadron |
1 Apr 1966 - 15 Jan 1967 |
A Squadron 3 Cavalry Regiment |
16 Jan 1967 - 12 May 1969 - 7 Jan 1971 - 12 Mar 1972 |
13 May 1969 - 6 Jan 1971 |
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23 Dec 1969 - Dec 70 |
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Feb 69 - Dec 69 |
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Feb 68 - Feb 69 and Dec 70 |
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Det 1 Forward Delivery Troop |
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Royal Australian Artillery
1965-1966 |
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1966-1967 and 1969-1970 |
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103 Field Battery |
1966-1967 |
1969-1970 |
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4 Field Regiment |
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106 Field Battery |
1967-1968 and 1970-1971 |
1970-1971 |
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108 Field Battery |
1967-1968 |
1971 |
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102 Field Battery |
1968-1969 |
104 Field Battery |
1968-1969 and 1971 |
131 Divisional Locating Battery |
1966-1971 |
Royal Australian Engineers
Det 198 Works Section |
9 Jan - 1 Mar 1967 |
198 Works Section |
2 Mar 1967 - 23 Dec 1972 |
Det 11 Movement Control Group |
1 Apr 1966 - 12 Mar 1972 |
3 Field Troop |
14 Sep 1965 - 31 Mar 1966 |
1 Apr 1966 - 18 Nov 1971 |
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21 Engineer Support Troop |
1 Apr 1966 - 9 Dec 1971 |
Det 55 Advanced Engineer Stores Squadron |
1 Apr 1966 - 16 Feb 1968 |
Det 55 Engineer Workshop & Park Squadron |
17 Feb 1968 - 12 Mar 1972 |
55 Engineer Workshop & Park Squadron |
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1 Apr 1966 - 12 Feb 1972 |
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Det 11 Movement Control Group |
1 Apr 1966 - 12 Mar 1972 |
30 Terminal Squadron |
9 Jan 1967 - 12 Mar 1972 |
Det 1 Division Postal Unit |
1 Apr 1966 - 8 Nov 1967 |
Det 1 Communication Zone Postal Unit |
19 Oct 66 - 23 Feb 72 |
26 Jun 1966 - 23 Nov 1966, 3 Dec 1966 - 9 Jan 1967, 17 Jan 1967 - 16 Mar 1967, 29 Jan 1968 - 27 Apr 1969, 21 Jul 1969 - 2 Mar 1970, 11 Jul 1970 - 3 Sep 1970 and 2 Mar 1971 - 12 Mar 1971 |
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23 Oct 1967 - 21 Mar 1968 and 2 May 1970 - 6 Jun 1970 |
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11 Apr 1966 - 25 Jun 1966 and 23 Jan 1967 - 14 Dec 1967 |
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22 Sep 1970 - 24 Oct 1970 |
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5 May 1966 - 14 May 1966, 3 Dec 1967 - 31 Jan 1968, 17 Feb 1968 - 31 Mar 1968, 16 Dec 1968 - 26 Dec 1968, 20 Feb 1969 - 4 Mar 1969, 25 Oct 1969 - 7 Dec 1969 and 27 Jul 1971 - 14 Aug 1971 |
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23 Feb 71 - 20 Mar 71 |
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11 Nov - 15 Dec 70 |
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Royal Australian Survey Corps
Det 1 Topographical Survey Troop A |
1966-1971 |
Section 1 Topographical Survey Troop |
1966-1971 |
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Royal Australian Signal Corps
HQ 145 Signal Squadron 709 Signal Troop |
25 May 1965 - 20 Nov 1967 |
527 Signal Troop |
14 Sep 1965 - 5 Jul 1967, absorbed into 145 Signal Squadron |
1 Apr 1966 - 23 Dec 1971 |
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581 Signal Troop |
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552 Signal Troop |
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506 Signal Troop |
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520 Signal Troop |
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HQ 110 Signal Squadron |
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HQ Signal Squadron |
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704 Signal Troop |
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557 Signal Troop |
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561 Signal Troop |
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532 Signal Troop |
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503 Signal Troop |
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1 Apr 1966 - 5 Jul 1967 |
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2 Mar 1967 - 15 Dec 1971, replaced 103 Signal Squadron |
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2 Mar 1967 - 12 Mar 1972, replaced 145 Signal Squadron |
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Det 152 Signal Squadron (SAS) |
31 Aug 1966 - 15 Oct 1971 |
AAAGV Signal Detachment |
12 Mar 1972 - Dec 1972 |
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Royal Australian Infantry
2 Tours: 25 May 1965 - 14 Jul 1966, 19 Jan 68 - 28 Jan 69 |
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Second Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR) (2 RAR/NZ Anzac Battalion) |
2 Tours: 20 Mar 1967 - 18 Jun 1968, 28 Apr 1970 - 4 Jun 1971 |
Third Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) (Old Faithful) |
2 Tours: 12 Dec 1967 - 5 Dec 1968, 12 Feb 1971 - 19 Oct 1971 |
Fourth Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (4 RAR) (Anzac) |
2 Tours: 20 Jan 1968 - 30 May 1969, 1 May 1970 - 12 Mar 1972 |
2 Tours: 1 Apr 1966 - 4 Jul 1967, 28 Jan 1969 - 5 Mar 1970 |
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Sixth Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR) (second tour was as 6 RAR/ NZ-Anzac Battalion) |
2 Tours: 1 Apr 1966 - 5 Jul 1967, 7 May 1969 - 28 May 1970 |
2 Tours 2 Mar 1967 - 26 Apr 1968, 10 Feb 1970 - 10 Mar 1971 |
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19 Nov 1969 - 10 Nov 1970 |
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5 Nov 1968 - 5 Dec 1969 |
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1 Apr 1966 - 15 Oct 1971 |
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One Squadron Special Air Service (less one troop) |
2 Mar 1967- 18 Feb 1968, 3 Feb 1970 - 18 Feb 1971 |
Two Squadron Special Air Service (less one troop) |
29 Jan 1968- 4 Mar 1969, 18 Feb 1971 - 15 Oct 1971 |
Three Squadron Special Air Service (less one troop) |
1 Apr 1966- 5 Jul 1967, 3 Feb 1969- 20 Feb 1970 |
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Australian Army Aviation Corps
14 Sep 1965 - 8 Mar 1972 |
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161 (Independent) Reconnaissance Flight |
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Australian Intelligence Corps
Detachment 1 Division Intelligence Unit |
15 May 1966 - 2 Oct 1971 |
1 Psychological Operations Unit |
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Royal Australian Army Service Corps (RAASC)
Bien Hoa
RAASC Detachment |
1965 |
Vung Tau
HQ 1 Company RAASC |
1966-1967 |
1 Transport Platoon RAASC |
Apr 1966 - Jul 1967 |
87 Transport Platoon RAASC |
Apr 1966 - Jul 1967 |
Detachment 276 AD Company |
Apr 1966 - May 1967 |
Detachment 1 Division Postal Unit |
Apr 1966 - Nov 1967 |
HQ 5 Company RAASC |
Mar 1967 - Mar 1972 |
2 Transport Platoon |
Apr 1967 - Nov 1970 |
85 Transport Platoon (Tipper) |
Mar 1967 - Sep 1971 |
86 Transport Platoon |
Jan 1967 - Mar 1972 |
Saigon Detachment 1 Comm Z Postal Unit |
Oct 1966 - Feb 1972 |
Nui Dat
HQ 26 Company RAASC |
Nov 1969 - Jun 1971 |
85 Transport Platoon |
Mar 1967 - Sep 1971 |
Elm 176 AD Company |
Jun 1967 - Nov 1971 |
Elm 1 Comm Z Postal Unit |
1967 - Jun 1968 |
Royal Australian Army Medical Corps (RAAMC)
13 Nov 1967 - 14 Dec 1971 |
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2 Field Ambulance |
1 Apr 1966 - 5 Jul 1967 |
8 Field Ambulance |
2 Mar 1967 - 12 Mar 1972 |
Detachment 1 Field Medical/Dental Unit |
20 Nov 1967 - 25 Nov 1971 |
Detachment 1 Field Medical/Dental Equipment Detachment |
20 Nov 1967 - 25 Nov 1971 |
Detachment 1 Field Hygiene Company |
5 Dec 1967 - 12 Mar 1972 |
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Royal Australian Army Dental Corps
33 Dental Unit |
May 1966 - Mar 1972 |
Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps
5 May 67 - 25 Nov 71 |
43 members of the RAANC served in Vietnam with 1st Australian Field Hospital and 8th Field Ambulance |
Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps
HQ 2 Company Ordnance Depot (Type A)1 |
1 Apr 1966 - 15 Nov 1967 - redesignated 2 AOD includes the following subunits: |
13 Ordnance Supply Control Platoon |
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16 Ordnance Vehicle Platoon |
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14 Ordnance Stores Platoon |
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18 Ordnance Depot Laundry and Bath Section |
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15 Ordnance Ammunition Platoon |
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19 Ordnance Supply Control Platoon |
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20 Ordnance Stores Platoon |
9 Jan 1967 |
2 Advanced Ordnance Depot (includes subunits listed above0 |
16 Nov 1967 - 12 Mar 1972 |
1 Independent Armoured Sqn Workshop Stores Section (redesignated) |
29 Jan 1968 - 2 Feb 1968 |
101 Field Workshop Stores Section 1 |
Apr 1966 - 5 Jul 1967 |
102 Field Workshop Stores Section |
2 Mar 1967 - 12 Mar 1972 |
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Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 1965 - 1971
Detachment 131 Div Loc Bty Workshop |
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1 Field Squadron Workshop |
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106 Field Workshop (Type A) |
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1 TF Headquarter Light Aid Detachment (LAD) Detachment |
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1 APC Squadron Light Aid Detachment Detachment |
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A Squadron 3 Cavalry Regiment Light Aid Detachment |
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B Squadron 3 Cavalry Regiment Light Aid Detachment |
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A Squadron 1 Armoured Regiment Light Aid Detachment |
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C Squadron 1 Armoured Regiment Light Aid Detachment |
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1 Field Regiment Light Aid Detachment |
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4 Field Regiment Light Aid Detachment |
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12 Field Regiment Light Aid Detachment |
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1 Independent Armoured Squadron Workshop |
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1 Armoured Squadron Workshop |
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17 Construction Squadron Workshop Detachment |
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l Division ST Workshop |
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5 Company RAASC Workshop |
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101 Field Workshop (Type A) |
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102 Field Workshop (Type B) |
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Royal Australian Army Chaplains
Citizens Military Forces Observers
Army Public Relations Service
Royal Australian Air Force
Headquarters Royal Australian Air Force Element |
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Australian Force Vietnam Headquarters |
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Royal Australian Air Force Contingent Vung Tau |
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8 Aug 1964 - 1 Jun 1966 |
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Base Support Flight |
May 1966 - Apr 1968 |
Number 1 Operational Support Unit |
Feb 1968 - Feb 1972 |
Airfield Construction Squadron (Detachment B) |
1964 - 1972 |
Royal Australian Air Force Element 161 Recce Flight |
14 Sep 1965 - 8 Mar 1972 |
1 Jun 1966 - Feb 1972 |
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The first RAAF operational unit to see service in Vietnam, the RAAF transport flight, arrived in Aug 64 with six Caribou aircraft. The unit was redesignated as No. 35 Squadron on 1 Jun 66. The Squadron left Vietnam in Feb 72. No.9 Squadron Apr 66 - Nov 71 No.9 Squadron, equipped with Iroquois helicopters was allotted to the 1st Australian Task Force. No. 2 Squadron Apr 67 - Jun 71 The third and last RAAF operational squadron to serve in Vietnam was No.2 Squadron. It returned to Australia in Jun 71, 13 years after having left Australia from Darwin en route to Butterworth, Malaysia. RAAF Members also served with the United States Air Force 64 - 72. RAAF fighter pilots were given the opportunity of serving in Vietnam as Forward Air Controllers. In addition to duty as FACs, six fighter pilots also saw service in American phantom squadrons in Vietnam.
RAAF Nursing Service MEDEVAC Flight
RAAF nurses tended the wounded on the medical evacuation aircraft which transported them from Vietnam to Australia usually via Malaysia.
RAAF Chaplains
RAAF Chaplains attended to the spiritual needs of RAAF personnel as well as Australian and US troops.
Civilian and Philanthropic
Red Cross
The Australian Red Cross contributed a welfare worker who was based at Vung Tau.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army maintained the Red Shield Hut
War Correspondents
The Australian War Correspondents provided news and feature stories for distribution to media in Australia.
Official War Artists, Historians and Photographers
As with other wars, official representatives were sent to Vietnam to collect data, information and impressions of Australia's military involvement.
Civilian Medical Teams
Civilian Medical Teams from major Australian hospitals were sent to Vietnam as part of a civilian aid program.
Australian Entertainment Groups
Australian entertainers volunteered for service in Vietnam with specific entertainment groups which were formed and financed separately.
Everymans Welfare Organisation
Everymans is a philanthropic organisation which supports the Australian Defence Force. They provided moral support to soldiers in the field from Recruit Training onwards.
Reproduced by kind permission of Brian Ross.
Information provided by Peter Mackie and added to this site on 7 May 2005.
Information provided by Ron Hobba, confirmed by the RAN and added on 7 May 2005.
