And when his platoon wasn't deployed to Vietnam, he asked to go on one that was.

For his classmates at the officer candidate school in Schyville - who marked their 50th anniversary this month - that is all you need to know about him.

Lieutenant Langlands was killed in battle in Vietnam in early 1969 after he tried to help a wounded soldier in his platoon.

His leadership qualities had been recognised from the moment he joined the national service, with "potential officer" stamped across the top of his personal data sheet.

Lieutenant Langlands' memory was honoured at Sunday's last post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, with his nephew, great niece and about 50 classmates there to remember him.

Classmate and Military Cross recipient Mick Woolan - who took over his platoon when he died - said Mr Langlands was a larrikin who also had a great sense of responsibility.

"It was almost like the ghost of Terry was looking over my shoulder when I was getting to know the platoon staff," he said.

Mr Langlands' nephew David never knew his uncle, but his grandmother gave him the responsibility of receiving his medals as a nine-year-old boy.

He has tried to keep his uncle's memory alive ever since.

"It's very special to have his classmates here watching and remembering him," he said.

"His parents didn't deal with what happened to him very well and of course Vietnam veterans weren't received very well back then."

Mr Langlands' great niece Amber Langland, 13, said it was an honour to be able to represent her war hero great uncle and learn more about his story.

"I am a little disappointed I didn't ever get to meet him," she said.