Lance Corporal John Gillespie was missing in action for almost 40 years, and, with five other Australians, was commemorated on seats at Anzac Parade's Vietnam War Memorial yesterday. On Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day, his family was able to unveil a new plaque.

Lance Corporal Gillespie became the third of the six men to be found last year by private group Operation Aussies Home.

Corporal Gillespie, a medic, died when his helicopter was shot down during a medical evacuation in the Long Hai hills in Phuoc Tuy province on April 17, 1971. His daughter, Fiona Pike, said yesterday the family was ''over the moon'' to have Corporal Gillespie's remains home and to be able to add the new plaque.

''We can go on to the next chapter in our lives and pass on Dad's legacy [to her sons Ryan, 9, and Jordan, 7]. A lot of the ceremonies are very difficult for us but when we have time to reflect and actually come back when it's quiet ... we've got special places to go and remember him,'' she said.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who visited the new plaque with Corporal Gillespie's widow, Carmel Hendrie, daughter, Mrs Pike, and grandchildren Ryan and Jordan Pike, said he was proud of what Australian personnel achieved in Vietnam. ''There is no higher calling in our land, than to wear the uniform of Australia.''

Ms Hendrie, who remarried, said it was a special moment. ''I feel an end of a journey and I feel that for the Gillespie family, for John's sisters and brothers, that it's just most important that we have finally come to this stage to say that we've finally got him home,'' she said.

Vietnam Veterans Association ACT president Pete Ryan said veterans were praying similar plaques could be installed for the three remaining soldiers listed as Missing in Action in years to come. Authorities are still searching for these men, and reported last weekend they were about to do an archaeological dig at a site they believed could hold the remains of Private David Fisher.