The Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) will tomorrow mark the 45th anniversary of its deployment to Vietnam, with the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson, unveiling a commemorative plaque in honour of the AATTV at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance. Mr Billson said the AATTV was among the most decorated units in Australian military history.

“Members of the AATTV received the only four Victoria Crosses awarded in Vietnam, and the unit and its members received numerous other imperial and foreign awards,” Mr Billson said. “They were a tremendously courageous and significant force among the Allied troops in Vietnam.” The AATTV was deployed to Vietnam in 1962 to train South Vietnamese troops. Originally a 30-man group, it eventually grew to 200 men in Vietnam at any one time. “The team was initially designed as a training taskforce and its duties were expanded in 1964 to include active combat roles in South Vietnamese provinces, and later in the Mekong Delta, south of Saigon,” Mr Billson said.

“The AATTV soldiers experienced diversity in their roles and their surrounds, with continually changing conditions and expectations. “Some members of the AATTV served with the US Special Forces and CIA-sponsored programs. Others were stationed at outposts with the Regional and Popular Force troops. Regardless of their postings, they showed continued dedication to the task at hand.”

The AATTV was withdrawn on 18 December 1972. During the unit’s 10 years of deployment, just under 1000 Australians together with some 10 New Zealanders served in the team. “May we remember today, and in the future, the valour and courage of the AATTV and the ongoing camaraderie of those who were once a part of this unique unit,” Mr Billson said.