Today, 18 August marks Vietnam Veterans Day – commemorated on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, this is an important time to pause and reflect on the Vietnam War and Australia’s involvement – which lasted for over a decade from July 1962 to January 1973. Over 60,000 Australians, including ground troops, air force and navy personnel, served in Vietnam. Over 520 Australians died as a result of the war and almost 2,400 were wounded. The war was the cause of the greatest social and political dissent in our country since the conscription referendums of the First World War.
To help Australians walk the ground and uncover this history, Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours offers special tours in the company of Vietnam veteran and Military Cross recipient, Gary McKay.
Gary served as a rifle platoon commander in Vietnam in 1971 and was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry during the Battle of Nui Le, the last major battle fought by Australian and New Zealand forces in South Vietnam.
Th 13-day itinerary takes in all the key Australian battlefield sites, plus some American sites as well as the country’s incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Hue, Hoi-An and Ha Long Bay.
During the tour, Gary will share his own experiences – from being conscripted, to jungle combat, being shot, the long road to recovery, and returning to Vietnam many years on. Gary will also share stories and accounts of the other soldiers who fought – on both sides.
To view the full itinerary and book, visit www.battlefields.com.au
