Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Plaque

About

Bronze plaque dedicated to the memory of the members of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, who lost their lives during the Vietnam conflict of the earlt 1960s to the early 1970s. The plaque displays the unit insignia of crossbow, motto and boomerang, on green background. Additional Information The Commander of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV), Colonel Ted Serong, arrived in Saigon, South Vietnam, on 31 July 1962. The 15 officers and 15 senior NCOs (warrant officers/sergeants) that made up "The Team" arrived in Saigon on 3 August 1962. The AATTV was sent to Vietnam in a training and advisory capacity, as part of the US Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV). Members served 12 to 18-month tours of duty. They were sent to Vietnam singly or in drafts, as the unit did not exist outside Vietnam. AATTV members operated with the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN), Montagnards, Territorial Forces (Regional Force and Popular Force), Mobile Strike (Mike) Forces, and other local units. Attached to units or battalions as trainers, advisers, and occasionally leaders, team members usually worked in the field, accompanying units on operations. They worked with various groups from the United States, such as the US Special Forces and the Central Intelligence Agency, and under the auspices of the already well-established US Army Advisory system, throughout South Vietnam. AATTV was increased to 73 personnel in September 1964, and then to 112 in June 1965. The Team reached a peak strength of 217 members in November 1970. As part of an overall reduction of the Australian commitment, the size of the Team was decreased gradually from April 1971, before its complete withdrawal in December 1972. It has the distinction of being the longest-serving and most highly decorated Australian unit of the Vietnam War: it was operational for over ten years and four of its members were awarded the Victoria Cross. Battle Honours Vietnam (1965-72) (Source: Australian War Memorial www.awm.gov.au)