The year 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and a time of deep reflection for local Vietnam Veterans.
Vietnam Veterans’ Day is commemorated annually on August 18, the anniversary of the 1966 Battle of Long Tan.
The Battle of Long Tan was a significant moment in Australia’s 10 years of involvement in the Vietnam War.
Outnumbered 10-to-1, the 108 soldiers of Delta Company held off an estimated 2000 Viet Cong forces for four hours in the middle of a tropical downpour in the Long Tan rubber plantation.
In the Battle of Long Tan, 18 Australians were killed and 24 wounded.
The August 18 anniversary might still be a few months away, but local Vietnam Veterans have been planning this year’s milestone commemorations for quite some time.
When veteran Les Allen approached the Bulletin in 2025 about plans for 2026, it was clear his passion runs deep for honouring and remembering Australia’s service in the Vietnam War.
As well as the usual August 18 public Vietnam Veterans’ Day service in Jubilee Park, Mr Allen and his fellow veterans are organising an anniversary dinner for the veteran community.
The August 15 60th anniversary Long Tan dinner is shaping up to be a sold-out formal event with military historian Brigadier Kevin John O’Brien CSC (Rtd) as guest speaker.
The Bulletin caught up with Mr Allen and fellow Vietnam Veterans Barry Fisher and Peter Higgins about what the anniversary means to them.
All three spoke with deep respect about those who fought in Long Tan, which happened before their time in Vietnam.
They shared about how their lives were shaped by their experiences serving in Vietnam as young men and returning home to a hostile reception from fellow Australians.
They spoke about having blood or eggs thrown over them, being ganged up on and beaten, being called ‘baby killers’ and being told to go fight a real war.
“It changed every one of us – we’re not the same,” said Mr Higgins.
Mr Fisher said it was important to honour the sacrifices made and to stick together.
“The RSL stands for and believes in care, commemoration and camaraderie,” he said.
