Vietnam War

Australia deployed over 60,000 servicemen and women to the conflict in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975 [1], the nation's longest operational commitment. During the course of the Vietnam War, 521 Australians lost their lives. The majority of these were repatriated to Australia for burial and commemoration.

Cemeteries overseas

Of our war dead from Vietnam, 25 are buried overseas. One lies in Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore and 24 lie in the Terendak Military Cemetery in Malaysia [2].

Cemeteries & Gardens of Remembrance in Australia

It has been the practice since 1966 [3] that Australian service personnel who die in conflicts overseas are repatriated to Australia, if practicable and if requested by the next-of-kin. The official commemoration for each of the Vietnam war dead in Australia is either at the gravesite or crematorium or separately in a Garden of Remembrance, again at the choice of the next-of-kin.

Civil cemeteries and crematoria across Australia are the final resting place and the place of commemoration for 318 of our Vietnam war dead. There are also four Vietnam war graves in the Perth War Cemetery [4].

At Gardens of Remembrance, especially created to commemorate our war dead and post-war dead, there are official commemorations to 174 of Australia's Vietnam war dead.

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Search for Vietnam War dead

Roll of Honour

This Australian War Memorial database can be searched for information on Australian war dead from the Vietnam War and other wars.

Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans

The Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans lists the men and women who served in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Vietnam during the conflict. You can seek information on the Vietnam war dead using the Search and Advanced Search functions.

Contact OAWG Need to find out more about where a particular person who died during the Vietnam War is commemorated? Just ask us.

Note: Responsibility for the Vietnam Forces National Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra, rests with the National Capital Authority.

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Vietnam graves at Perth War Cemetery
A serviceman visits the Australian Vietnam war graves at Terendak Military Cemetery, Malaysia
Vietnam graves at Perth War Cemetery A serviceman visits the Australian Vietnam war graves at Terendak Military Cemetery, Malaysia

Footnotes

  1. Australians served in the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1973, and again for a brief period in 1975.  
  2. Terendak Military Cemetery is located within an operating military base. Intending visitors are advised to make arrangements via the Australian High Commission in Malaysia.
    See: Procedures for visiting Terendak Military Cemetery
  3. Cabinet decision of 19/1/1966.
  4. The CWGC war cemeteries have been closed for further burials since 1947; however, special permission was granted for these Vietnam War graves at Perth War Cemetery.

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