BREAKING: Vietnam Veterans Day has ignited a renewed call for recognition of over 2,500 Australian veterans who have been unjustly excluded from receiving the Vietnam Campaign Medal. As Australia commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War’s end, the Vietnam Veterans Association and the RSL are urging the federal government to rectify this oversight.
Many of these veterans served in harrowing conditions during the conflict from 1962 to 1975, yet due to a technicality, they were denied acknowledgment. This oversight stems from their national service obligations ending before reaching the 181-day threshold, leaving them without the campaign medal and the respect their service deserved.
Navy veteran Bob Braithwaite, who finally received his medal just last week after years of applications, shared his emotional struggle. “It’s very hard, very hard,” he stated from his home in Adelaide. “You weren’t recognised as a full veteran… it felt like being a car with only three wheels.”
These veterans, labeled “short-timers,” completed at least 60 days in Vietnam but returned home due to injuries, leaving them to grapple with feelings of inadequacy. Mr. Braithwaite, who suffers from PTSD, described the stigma they face: “You’d go to a hotel on ANZAC Day and the guys with the full medals would kind of look at you a bit funny.”
The broader community’s failure to embrace Vietnam veterans upon their return exacerbated their plight. NSW president Ray James, a fellow Vietnam veteran, delivered a heartfelt apology to these heroes on Vietnam Veterans Day this year, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their sacrifices.
As Australia prepares to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan on Monday, a major gathering will take place in Martin Place, Sydney. Thousands will come together to honor the 524 Australians who died and the 3,000 wounded during the conflict.
The national service and its impact on these veterans are critical issues that resonate deeply today. As the Vietnam War’s legacy continues to unfold, the call for recognition grows louder.
Support services are available for veterans struggling with these issues. Contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 or Open Arms at 1800 011 046 for assistance.
Stay tuned as this story develops, and join the conversation about the recognition these brave veterans deserve.
