An enhanced online Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans with more information and improved search features is being launched tomorrow by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson. The Roll replaces an interim roll that had been on the Internet for some time. Mr Billson said it was appropriate to launch the enhanced Roll –– www.vietnamroll.gov.au –– this Saturday, Vietnam Veterans’ Day. “On Vietnam Veterans’ Day we honour the more than 60,000 Australians deployed to Vietnam and the 520 who were lost to us forever,” he said. “I urge all Australians to stop and remember the service and sacrifice of our Vietnam veterans.”

Mr Billson said work on the enhanced Roll had been a significant undertaking by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “My Department has manually checked around 61,000 service records and thousands of other service-related documents from different states, territories and government agencies to further develop the Roll,” he said. “The enhanced Roll can be searched by service number and name, by unit name, dates of service in Vietnam as well as date of birth, place of birth, and Honours and Awards received.

“Users can print a Certificate of Service for each veteran and view a photo of each of the 520 official commemorations of those who died in the Vietnam War.” Mr Billson said it was possible that some details for about 1500 veterans may not be complete, although each of these veterans was on the Nominal Roll. “We have around 97 per cent of the details completed and the remainder will be progressively included,” Mr Billson said.

“Every effort has been made to ensure the data on the Roll is correct, but this has been a complex undertaking and if veterans find errors they should also contact the Department so they can be corrected.” In publishing this Nominal Roll, the Department has honoured previous undertakings given to veterans who wished their entry to be suppressed or partially suppressed. Other veterans who do not wish to have their details displayed on the website can request, in writing, that some, or all, of those details not be included by contacting the Nominal Rolls Team via email at nominal.rolls@dva.gov.au or by calling 1300 780 133 (local call charge).

Mr Billson encouraged Australians to reflect on the contribution and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans during Vietnam Veterans’ Day commemorations. “This date was chosen to commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day because it was the date of one of Australia’s most costly victories of the Vietnam War, the Battle of Long Tan. “On 18 August 1966, Australian soldiers from D Company 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, encountered the leading elements of an enemy force that was about 3000-strong in a rubber plantation north of the village of Long Tan,” Mr Billson said.

“Outnumbered by at least ten to one, but supported by the artillery of the 1st Australian Task Force, the Australians held firm with a remarkable display of courage and determination until a relief force arrived. During that fateful battle, 18 Australians lost their lives and 24 others were wounded, while around 245 North Vietnamese died, with as many as 500 wounded. “Tomorrow, we remember all those who paid the ultimate price in that conflict and we thank the veterans who came home, having served their country."