VIETNAM veterans have opened fire on the Federal Government for making them pay for gallantry awards. About 100 veterans have had to buy citations awarded for their bravery in the Battle of Long Tan in 1966. Peter Jamieson, of Sydney's North Rocks, said Delta Company veterans were furious they had to pay $12 for the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry unit citation with palm - imported from the US.

The awards were offered by the South Vietnamese government in 1967 but were not accepted then by Australia. The Federal Government approved the citations to be worn in August after an independent review by a panel of retired senior army officers. The panel also recommended awarding a Star of Gallantry to Major Harry Smith and the Medal of Gallantry for two of his commanders.

Those decorations were free because they were Australian.

"It's taken 42 years to get these (Cross) citations and now we have to pay for them," Mr Jamieson said. "The Government should pay for it."

Several veterans have already complained to the Government, but Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffin said the Government was not responsible for paying for foreign awards -just granting approval. "It's an issue of principle and that was the correct process," he said.

The president of the 6-RAR Association, Graham Smith, said the service awards, which had been posted to veterans and families through the Long Tan Association, were a "hollow victory" for veterans.

"It would've only cost the Government $1000," he said.

Another annoyed veteran said: "Those blokes in Canberra spend that on morning tea every day."

National RSL president Bill Crews said it was a "mean-spirited approach".

The Battle of Long Tan on August 18, 1966, claimed the lives of 18 Australians, with another 21 wounded when 100 Diggers from the 6th Battalion's Delta Company confronted 1500 enemy troops moving to attack the Australian Task Force base.