Media Release - Minister Keogh - Long Tan, Sixty Years On: A Day Held In Australia's Memory
Minister Keogh
OFFICIAL
THE HON MATT KEOGH MP
Minister for VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL
MEDIA RELEASE
18 August 2026
LONG TAN, SIXTY YEARS ON: A DAY HELD IN AUSTRALIA’S MEMORY
Each year on 18 August, memories of Vietnam return in many forms — a name on a memorial, a photograph kept close, a service medal, or a story shared around a family table.
This Vietnam Veterans’ Day marks 60 years since the Battle of Long Tan, when Delta Company, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, and 3 New Zealanders from 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery, fought in the rubber plantation near Nui Dat.
Heavily outnumbered, running low on ammunition and fighting amid a torrential downpour of rain, the men of D Company faced incredible odds against a determined opposition. They were supported by timely artillery from the New Zealand Army, daring RAAF helicopter resupply sorties and a relief force.
Eighteen Australians lost their lives and 24 more were wounded.
For many years Long Tan Day served as the unofficial annual commemoration day for Vietnam veterans, before Prime Minister Bob Hawke named 18 August as Vietnam Veterans’ Day in 1987.
More than 60,000 Australians served in the Vietnam War over more than a decade.
These Australians served with distinction, including almost 19,000 National Servicemen deployed to Vietnam, thousands more were not deployed, but had their lives put on hold for years. Non-military staff supported Australians in Vietnam including medical volunteers, Qantas staff and entertainers.
The Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour records the names of 524 service members who lost their lives due to their service in Vietnam, and two others who lost their lives in Thailand while supporting Vietnam operations. Others came home wounded, injured or ill. Many veterans and their families carried, and continue to carry, the weight of their service today.
Vietnam Veterans’ Day is a chance to commemorate all Australians who served, ensure their stories are heard, and their place in Australia’s history is honoured. We acknowledge the families whose lives were changed by service, and whose support formed part of the story of Vietnam.
Today, communities across Australia will gather in remembrance – at memorials, in schools, with veterans’ groups and in quiet personal moments.
Applications for the Long Tan Bursary also open today, supporting eligible children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans with up to $12,000 over three years for tertiary education costs.
For more information about Vietnam Veterans’ Day, the Battle of Long Tan and commemorative resources, visit the Anzac Portal.
MEDIA CONTACT:
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Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides 24/7 free confidential crisis support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families on 1800 011 046 or openarms.gov.au. Safe Zone Support provides anonymous counselling on 1800 142 072. Defence All-Hours Support Line provides support for ADF personnel on 1800 628 036 or defence.gov.au/health/healthportal. Defence Member and Family Helpline provides support for Defence families on 1800 624 608.