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Will Long Tan Heroes be recognised?
Caption: LTCOL (Ret) Harry Smith will be present when the new awards are announced.
The fight for recognition has been led by the former commander of Delta Company, 6RAR, who commanded the 108 men of D Coy. in a fight against more than 2,000 enemy forces in a rubber plantation near the village of Long Tan on 18 August 1966.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith, now 83 years old, has been fighting for recognition for his men for almost 50 years.
In April last year, when former Chief of Army, LTGEN David Morrison refused the application for the 13 soldiers, Harry took the matter to the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal. Harry told media that he owed it to his soldiers to follow through on what he recommended in 1966.
The Tribunal’s report is now with Minister Tehan and the final decision will be announced on Wednesday – eight days before the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. Harry will be in Canberra for the announcement.
Details of precisely which medals will be presented and how many of Harry’s soldiers will be recognised for their efforts in the battle remain confidential but Harry recently told media that this latest effort would probably be his “final attempt” to gain recognition for his company.
The Battle of Long Tan is one of the most noted battles involving Australian troops during the War. The date of this against-all-odds fight is now reserved each year to commemorate all who served in the Vietnam War. Eighteen Australians were killed in the action and 24 were wounded. During the three hour battle, which started at around 4pm, Delta Company was able to persevere thanks to quick and close fire support from New Zealand’s 161 Field Battery; a tree top ammunition resupply by RAAF helicopters; additional artillery support from the Australian taskforce base at Nui Dat; and the timely arrival of reinforcements in Armoured Personnel Carriers.
This Vietnam Veteran’s Day, on the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, we remember and honour the almost 60,000 Australians who served in Vietnam. Some 521 lost their lives to the war. More than 3,000 were wounded. Many more veterans suffered, and continue to suffer mental and physical anguish because of their service.
