Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage
The national Vietnam Veterans’ Day commemoration will be held on Tuesday 18 August at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.
“We invite New Zealanders to join us at Pukeahu to commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day and honour everyone who served during the Vietnam War,” says Secretary for Culture and Heritage Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae.
“This year marks 60 years since the Battle of Long Tan, one of the most significant engagements involving New Zealand personnel during the Vietnam War and an important moment in our shared Anzac military history.
“On 18 August 1966, a three-person New Zealand artillery Forward Observer party, attached to Australian infantry, came under intense attack from a much larger enemy force in the Long Tan rubber plantation.
“In extremely difficult conditions, Captain Maurice Stanley, Lance-Bombardier Murray Broomhall, and Signaller Willie Walker kept communications open and directed artillery fire that was critical to the outcome of the battle.
“They were supported by the gunners of 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery, based at Nui Dat. Working with Australian and American artillery units, they delivered sustained and accurate fire that helped prevent the defending force from being overwhelmed.
“The Battle of Long Tan showed the courage, professionalism and teamwork of New Zealand and Australian personnel under immense pressure.
“As we mark this 60th anniversary, we honour those involved in the battle, the more than 3,000 New Zealand military personnel who served in Vietnam, the civilian medical and aid workers who supported them, and the 39 New Zealanders who lost their lives.
“Vietnam Veterans’ Day is a time to reflect on their service and sacrifice, acknowledge the challenges veterans and their whānau faced after the war, and ensure their stories are remembered by future generations.”
People attending this year’s commemoration are asked to arrive at the Hall of Memories at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park by 10.45am for an 11.00am start.
Further information
Vietnam Veterans’ Day commemorates the service of New Zealand military and civilian personnel during the Vietnam War.
The date marks the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, fought on 18 August 1966.
More than 3,000 New Zealand military personnel served in Vietnam between 1964 and 1975, alongside civilian medical and aid workers.
Thirty-nine New Zealanders lost their lives during the conflict, including two civilians.
More information about New Zealand’s involvement in the Vietnam War is available at:
https://vietnamwar.govt.nz/ (https://vietnamwar.govt.nz/)
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/vietnam-war (https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/vietnam-war)
Captions:
long-tan-memorial.jpg – Dedication of Long Tan memorial cross on the site of the battle, 1969 (Noel Bell/VietnamWar.govt.nz)