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The Minister for Defence (Reginald Townley) announces intention to send 30 army advisers to South Vietnam (SVN).
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Brief timeline of Australia's Involvement in the Vietnam War
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The first members of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) arrive in South Vietnam.
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Military Advisor Sergeant William Hacking becomes the first Australia to die when his weapon acccidently discharges after being caught in vegetation.
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Minister for Defence Hon. Shane Partridge announces that the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) will be increased to 83 advisers and their role will be expanded.
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Warrant Officer Class 2 Kevin Conway, a military advisor, becomes the first Australian to be killed in action as a casualty of the war.
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Sir Robert Menzies announces the introduction of selective conscription towards 20-year old males to serve in the army and increase their numbers to 37500 from 22750. An opposing view of the war will not be accepted as an excuse to be exempted from the conscription.
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Australian Government responds to the requests from the US President and South Vietnam Prime Minister for 200 more military advisers from Australia, by offering to send ground troops to South Vietnam.
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The Prime Minister announces the dispatch of an infantry battalion to South Vietnam, escorted by a personnel carrier (APC) troop, a signals troop and a logistic support company.
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The 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment leaves for South Vietnam on the HMAS Sydney, alongside with the US 173rd Airborne Division.
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The HMAS Sydney arrives, at Vung Tau in South Vietnam. They become the backbone of the Australian force.
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1RAR fights the first engagements of the war between Australian forces and the Vietcong ay Gang Toi, thus becoming the Battle of Gang Toi.
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Warrant Officer Class Two, Kevin Wheatley, dies while protecting a wounded comrade. This earned him Australia's hightest honour, the Victorian Cross
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1RAR participates in the Battle of Ho Bo Woods alongside the US 1st Infantry Division. The aim was to target an underground Viet Cong headquarters.
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1RAR fought off a night time regiment size Viet Cong assault with the US 1st Infantry Division, with the use of mass firepower from artillery and tanks. 1RAR also provided protection to US engineers building a tactically important road in Tan Bihn.
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The Prime Minister Harold Holt travels to the United States to discuss the war with the US President Lyndon B. Johnson, and confirms the Australian's government full support for the United States Vietnam policy, and adopts the slogan with a speech "All the way with LBJ".
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An Australian decisive victory between fought by the D Company of the 6th Battalion, Royal Army Regiment (6RAR) and Viet Cong forces. 18 Australians and 275 Viet Cong were killed.
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Major Peter Badcoe of the AATTV is killed in action by leading his two companies against more powerful opposition. He is rewarded the Victorian Cross for his bravery.
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Fought between 7RAR and Viet Cong troops. Took place during a search and destroy operation, in the eastern Hat Ditch area. Australian casualties included 6 killed and 19 wounded.
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The Prime Minister announces and increase of 1700 to Australia's commitment in South Vietnam, including a third infantry battalion and tank squadron.
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Communist forces in South Vietnam are launched, known as Tet Offensive, to attack military and civilian command and control centres when least expected.
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Prime Minister Gorton announces that Australia will not increase its commitment to Vietnam.
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Series of actions fought between the 1st Australian Task force (1ATF) and 7th Division of Viet Cong forces. It became the bloodiest engagement for Australians are 25 Australians were killed and nearly 100 wounded during the 26 days of fighting.
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Warrant Officer Class Two, Rayene Stewart Simpson rescues a fellow warrant officer and commits an unsuccessful attack on a stronger opposition, in the Kom Tum Province. 5 days later, he fights alone against heavy odds to cover the evacuation of a number of casualties. He awarded with the Victorian Cross.
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5RAR fought a combined force of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong. 5RAR, supported by an APC and Australian helicopter gunships, engage in house-to-house fighting to clear a town of NVA regulars.
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Anti-Vietnam War protesters stage the first moratorium marches in Australian cities (70,000 in Melbourne, and about 120,000 throughout Australia).
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Fought between the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) and NVA and Viet Cong. The 3RAR provided a supporting attack on a heavily fortified communist base camp, capturing 2 bunker systems but at the cost of many casualties.
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Prime Minister McMahon announces further cuts in Australian forces in South Vietnam, including withdrawal of the tank squadron, RAAF Canberra bomber squadron and some Caribou transport aircraft.
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Last major battle by Australian troops in South Vietnam. Battle was fought between the 4RAR/NZ and 33rd Regiment of NVA. Left 5 Australians killed and 30 wounded.
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4 RAR moves out of Nui Dat to Vung Tau, ending Australian combat operations in Phuoc Tuy province.
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Whitlam Labor Government is elected, and Australia begins to finalise the withdrawal of its forces from Vietnam.
