Australian Army Training Team Vietnam
Encyclopedia
The Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) was a specialist unit of the Australian Army
that operated during the Vietnam War
. Raised in 1962, the unit was raised solely for service as part of Australia's contribution to the war in Vietnam, providing training and assistance to South Vietnamese forces. It is believed to be the most decorated Australian unit to serve in Vietnam with members of the unit receiving over 100 decorations, including four Victoria Cross
es, while it was in existence. The unit was disbanded in late 1972 when Australia ended its commitment to the war.
and warrant officer
s and was tasked to train units of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam
(ARVN). On 1 June 1963 Sergeant William Francis Hacking became the AATTV's first casualty when he was accidentally killed while on duty in Vietnam. The first advisor officially killed in action
was Warrant Officer Kevin Conway at the Battle of Nam Dong
in July 1964. With the war escalating the AATTV increased to approximately 100 by December. Soon its area of operations stretched from the far south to the Demilitarized Zone
(DMZ) forming the border between North Vietnam
and South Vietnam
.
Members of the team were involved in many combat operations, often commanding formations of Vietnamese soldiers. Some advisors worked with regular ARVN units and formations, while others worked with the Montagnard
hill tribes in conjunction with US Special Forces. A few were involved in the controversial Phoenix Program
run by the US Central Intelligence Agency
, which was designed to target the Vietcong infrastructure through infiltration, arrest and assassination. Due to its small size and widespread area of operations, it was rare for the entire unit to be in the same place at the same time; this usually occurred only on ANZAC Day
– the only other occasion the whole unit paraded together was when it received the Meritorious Unit Commendation
from the Commander of the US Forces in Vietnam in 1970.
After the 1st Australian Task Force
was withdrawn in early 1972 the AATTV remained in Phuoc Tuy
province to provide training and advisory assistance to the ARVN and to training Cambodian soldiers of Force Armée Nationale Khmère
(FANK). The last Australians left Vietnam in mid-December 1972, following the election of the Whitlam
Labor government. The AATTV had the longest tour of duty of any Australian unit in Vietnam, serving a total of ten years, four months and sixteen days. The unit also had the distinction of being the first Australian unit committed to Vietnam and the last to be withdrawn. Over the course of its service, a total of 1,000 men served with the unit, consisting of 990 Australians and 10 New Zealanders.
The AATTV was Australia's most decorated unit of the war, including all four Victoria Cross
es awarded during the conflict (awarded to Warrant Officer Kevin Wheatley
, Major Peter Badcoe, Warrant Officer Rayene Simpson
and Warrant Officer Keith Payne
respectively). The unit also received the United States Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
that operated during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Raised in 1962, the unit was raised solely for service as part of Australia's contribution to the war in Vietnam, providing training and assistance to South Vietnamese forces. It is believed to be the most decorated Australian unit to serve in Vietnam with members of the unit receiving over 100 decorations, including four Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
es, while it was in existence. The unit was disbanded in late 1972 when Australia ended its commitment to the war.
History
The unit was raised in 1962 and initially consisted of approximately 30 officersOfficer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
and warrant officer
Warrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
s and was tasked to train units of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam
Army of the Republic of Vietnam
The Army of the Republic of Viet Nam , sometimes parsimoniously referred to as the South Vietnamese Army , was the land-based military forces of the Republic of Vietnam , which existed from October 26, 1955 until the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975...
(ARVN). On 1 June 1963 Sergeant William Francis Hacking became the AATTV's first casualty when he was accidentally killed while on duty in Vietnam. The first advisor officially killed in action
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
was Warrant Officer Kevin Conway at the Battle of Nam Dong
Battle of Nam Dong
The Battle of Nam Dong was fought on July 5 until the next day on in 1964, when the Viet Cong and PAVN attacked the Nam Dong CIDG camp in an attempt to overrun it.-Battle:...
in July 1964. With the war escalating the AATTV increased to approximately 100 by December. Soon its area of operations stretched from the far south to the Demilitarized Zone
Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone
The Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone was established as a dividing line between North and South Vietnam as a result of the First Indochina War.During the Second Indochina War , it became important as the battleground demarcation separating North Vietnamese territory from South Vietnamese territory.-...
(DMZ) forming the border between North Vietnam
North Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
and South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
.
Members of the team were involved in many combat operations, often commanding formations of Vietnamese soldiers. Some advisors worked with regular ARVN units and formations, while others worked with the Montagnard
Montagnard
The French term Montagnard, meaning "People from the mountain" refers to an indigenous people group generally from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It includes individuals from multiple tribal groups, including the Bahnar, Jarai, Koho, Mnong and E De peoples...
hill tribes in conjunction with US Special Forces. A few were involved in the controversial Phoenix Program
Phoenix Program
The Phoenix Program |phoenix]]) was a controversial counterinsurgency program designed, coordinated, and executed by the United States Central Intelligence Agency , United States special operations forces, and the Republic of Vietnam's security apparatus during the Vietnam War that operated...
run by the US Central Intelligence Agency
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
, which was designed to target the Vietcong infrastructure through infiltration, arrest and assassination. Due to its small size and widespread area of operations, it was rare for the entire unit to be in the same place at the same time; this usually occurred only on ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all...
– the only other occasion the whole unit paraded together was when it received the Meritorious Unit Commendation
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
from the Commander of the US Forces in Vietnam in 1970.
After the 1st Australian Task Force
1st Australian Task Force
The 1st Australian Task Force commanded the Australian and New Zealand Army units deployed to South Vietnam between 1966 and 1972. 1 ATF was based at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province...
was withdrawn in early 1972 the AATTV remained in Phuoc Tuy
Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province
Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu is a province of Vietnam. It is located on the coast of the country's southeastern region. It also includes the Côn Đảo islands, located some distance off Vietnam's southeastern coast...
province to provide training and advisory assistance to the ARVN and to training Cambodian soldiers of Force Armée Nationale Khmère
Khmer National Armed Forces
The Khmer National Armed Forces , often abbreviated to FANK, were the official armed defense forces of the Khmer Republic, a short-lived state that existed from 1970 to 1975, known today as Cambodia...
(FANK). The last Australians left Vietnam in mid-December 1972, following the election of the Whitlam
Gough Whitlam
Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC , known as Gough Whitlam , served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr at the climax of the...
Labor government. The AATTV had the longest tour of duty of any Australian unit in Vietnam, serving a total of ten years, four months and sixteen days. The unit also had the distinction of being the first Australian unit committed to Vietnam and the last to be withdrawn. Over the course of its service, a total of 1,000 men served with the unit, consisting of 990 Australians and 10 New Zealanders.
The AATTV was Australia's most decorated unit of the war, including all four Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
es awarded during the conflict (awarded to Warrant Officer Kevin Wheatley
Kevin Arthur Wheatley
Kevin Arthur Wheatley, VC was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, Major Peter Badcoe, Warrant Officer Rayene Simpson
Rayene Stewart Simpson
Rayene Stewart "Ray" Simpson VC, DCM was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces.-Early life:Simpson was born in Chippendale, New South Wales and educated...
and Warrant Officer Keith Payne
Keith Payne
Keith Payne VC, OAM is an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces, during the Vietnam War...
respectively). The unit also received the United States Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
Commanding officers
- Colonel F.P. Serong (1962–1965)
- Lieutenant Colonel A.V. Preece (1965)
- Lieutenant Colonel R.G.P. St V. McNamara (1965–1966)
- Lieutenant Colonel A.J. Milner (1966–1967)
- Lieutenant Colonel M.T. Tripp (1967–1968)
- Lieutenant Colonel R.L. Burnard (1968–1969)
- Lieutenant Colonel R.D.F. Lloyd (1969–1970)
- Colonel J.A. Clark (1970–1971)
- Colonel G.J. Leary (1971)
- Lieutenant Colonel J.D. Stewart (1971–1972)
- Lieutenant Colonel K.H. Kirkland (1972)
- Lieutenant Colonel P.T. Johnston (1973)
Decorations
- 4 Victoria CrossVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
es - 2 Distinguished Service OrderDistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
s
- 3 Officers of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
- 6 Members of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
- 6 Military CrossMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
es - 20 Distinguished Conduct MedalDistinguished Conduct MedalThe Distinguished Conduct Medal was an extremely high level award for bravery. It was a second level military decoration awarded to other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to non-commissioned personnel of other Commonwealth countries.The medal was instituted in 1854, during the Crimean...
s - 15 Military MedalMilitary MedalThe Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
s - 4 British Empire MedalBritish Empire MedalThe Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service, usually known as the British Empire Medal , is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown...
s - 4 Queen's Commendations for Brave ConductQueen's Commendation for Brave ConductInstituted in 1939 by King George VI as the King's Commendation for Brave Conduct, the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct acknowledged brave acts by civilians and members of the military in non-warlike circumstances during a time of war or in peacetime where the action would not otherwise be...
- 49 Mentions in Despatches