National service recognises gallantry of Vietnam War diggers

Hundreds gathered at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra on Sunday morning, where the unit citation was announced by Veterans' Affairs Minister Darren Chester.

“The men who fought at Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral displayed collective gallantry which
is worthy of the Unit Citation for Gallantry,” Mr Chester said.

"This year sees the 50th anniversary of the Battles of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral, and it is timely that we are able to recognise the courageous service displayed by the members of the units involved."

Members of the 1st Australian Task Force (Forward) and associated units were recognised, including:

Also recognised were veterans of the Royal Australian Air Force's No. 9 Squadron and 161 Reconnaissance Flight, who flew support missions during the Coral-Balmoral battle.

Saturday marked the 50th anniversary of the battle, in which a combined force of Australian and New Zealand soliders repulsed the numerically superior North Vietnamese regular army force in some of the fiercest fighting of the "10,000 day war".

Hundreds of veterans, family members and supporters gathered at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial on Sunday to watch the commemoration.

A small number of soldiers representing the New Zealand Defence Force were present at the ceremony, although it is unclear how the unit citation might apply to Kiwi troops involved in Coral-Balmoral.

Major William Burton (Ret'd), of the 1st Armoured Regiment's C Squadron, said the fighting at Coral and Balmoral was some of "largest, fiercest and bloodiest" experienced by Australian troops during the Vietnam War.

"I can't help but think of those who are no longer with us, and who fought so valiantly during the war, but lost their lives, or those who died as a result of the war," he said.

The battle itself was a series of engagements involving a combined force of between 2500 and 3000 Australians and New Zealanders from May 12 to June 6, 1968.

Coral and Balmoral were the names of two Australian Fire Support and Patrol Bases set up in a zone referred to by the Americans as “the catcher’s mitt”. Twenty-six Australians were killed and 99 were wounded during the operations around Coral and Balmoral.

While the known North Vietnamese and Viet Cong losses were 276 killed, nine wounded and 11 captured, Australian War Memorial military history head Ashley Ekins believed they would have been higher.

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Angus Campbell spoke at the commemoration, honouring those who had served Australia.

"It's important that we recognise our history and the people who made that history," he said.

"Australia, then and now, has been blessed to have incredibly dedicated inviduals committed to serving our nation."