VIETNAM VETERANS DAY 2017

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "VIETNAM VETERANS DAY 2017"

Harry Byrd
5 years ago
Views:

1 VIETNAM VETERANS DAY 2017 FRIDAY 18 AUGUST 2017 HALL OF MEMORIES PUKEAHU NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL PARK WELLINGTON

2 NEW ZEALAND AND THE VIETNAM WAR The Vietnam War was the last, longest and most controversial of the five major wars in which New Zealand was involved in the 20th century. Between June 1964 and December 1972, more than 3000 New Zealand military personnel served in South Vietnam. Thirty-seven died while on active service and 187 were wounded. In addition, about 300 New Zealand civilians, including members of a surgical team and Red Cross and Save the Children workers, went to help the people of South Vietnam; two New Zealand civilians lost their lives. While New Zealand s commitment and losses in Vietnam were modest, especially compared to the two world wars, the conflict had a political and cultural impact that far outweighed the numbers involved. The roots of the war lay in the Vietnamese people s nationalist resistance to French rule, the impact of the Second World War, which shook the foundations of European colonial power in Asia, and Cold War rivalry between the West and the Soviet-led communist bloc. Following France s defeat in the Indochina War of , two Vietnamese states emerged, temporarily divided along the 17th Parallel. Soon, the communist Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam), supported by the Soviet Union and China, and Viet Cong insurgents in the south, was at war with the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), which was backed by the United States. The conflict eventually ended with the defeat of the southern regime in April 1975 and the establishment, in July 1976, of a unified state, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The human cost was horrendous: more than 1.4 million soldiers and perhaps 2.6 million civilians died during the war. The New Zealand government, led throughout the 1960s by National Party Prime Minister Keith Holyoake, shared American concerns about communist expansion in Asia, but was cautious in its approach to Vietnam. Unlike Australia, which sent a small team of military advisers in 1962, New Zealand initially limited its assistance to the provision of a civilian surgical team. Led by Dr Michael Shackleton, this team arrived in April For the next 12 years it operated quietly but effectively at Qui Nhon in Binh Dinh province. In response to continuing American pressure, New Zealand agreed to provide a small non-combatant military force. In June 1964, 25 Army 2

engineers arrived in South Vietnam. They worked on reconstruction projects such as road and bridge building until they were withdrawn in July 1965.

3 engineers arrived in South Vietnam. They worked on reconstruction projects such as road and bridge building until they were withdrawn in July New Zealand combat involvement in Vietnam began in mid In May that year the government agreed to provide a four-gun field artillery battery of approximately 120 men, and 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA), arrived in Saigon in July. On 18 August 1966 the Kiwi gunners played a key role in assisting Australian infantry during the Battle of Long Tan, in which 18 Australians were killed. In recent years this date has been commemorated as the national day of remembrance for Vietnam veterans. When in December 1966 Australia decided to expand its task force to brigade strength, New Zealand came under renewed pressure to increase its effort. This country s infantry commitment began 50 years ago this year, when April 1967 V (Victor) Company arrived in Vietnam from New Zealand s infantry battalion in Malaysia, followed by W (Whiskey) Company in December. Image: Ken Treanor collection Captain Neil Officer performing surgery at Bong Son dispensary, circa 1967 Cover photo: Wayne Radavanovich, Michael (Brutus) Brunton, Rodney Simpson and Lieutenant Angus Rivers pictured with a can of New Zealand-made condensed milk (foreground) found amongst enemy stores in the Long Hai hills during Operation Hammersly, February

4 The New Zealand companies initially operated under the control of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR), but from March 1968 they integrated with the Australian battalion to form 2RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion. A similar arrangement existed with 4RAR after it relieved 2RAR in June 1968 and then successively with 6RAR, 2RAR and 4RAR until the end of the two countries combat commitment in December During New Zealand added several other small units and groups of personnel. From April 1967 the 1st New Zealand Services Medical Team was based at Bong Son in Binh Dinh province. The following year New Zealand s humanitarian efforts in that province were augmented by Red Cross and Save the Children teams, while New Zealand Red Cross field workers also served in the 1st Australian Field Hospital in Vung Tau. In July 1967, an RNZAF pilot was attached to 9 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, which operated Iroquois helicopters from Vung Tau; two more were provided in From December 1968, two forward air controllers served with the 7th US Air Force. The RNZAF also used its transport aircraft to support the commitment in Vietnam throughout New Zealand s involvement. In December 1968, a 26-man Special Air Service (SAS) troop arrived in Vietnam, raising the strength of New Zealand s military force to its peak of 548 men. In January 1971, as the Americans emphasised the Vietnamisation of the war s conduct, New Zealand contributed an army training team of 25 personnel. A second 18-man team (including two RNZN personnel), was provided in March In the meantime, Australian and New Zealand combat forces were gradually withdrawing from Vietnam. The first New Zealand unit to go was W Company, in November 1970, followed by the SAS troop (February 1971) and artillery battery (May 1971). New Zealand s combat involvement ended in December 1971 with the withdrawal of V Company and the Services Medical Team. The army training teams followed 12 months later. The civilian surgical team left in March 1975, a month before New Zealand s ambassador to South Vietnam departed on the last RNZAF flight out of Saigon. Vietnam has always stood apart from New Zealand s other 20th century military experiences, for a number of reasons. In contrast to previous 4

5 conflicts, New Zealand did not raise an expeditionary force of volunteers, relying instead on its existing regular forces. For the first time, this country found itself on the losing side in an overseas conflict, even if the end came several years after its troops withdrawal. This war also became highly controversial at home, arousing domestic passions and opposition not seen during other 20th-century conflicts; by the end of the 1960s thousands of New Zealanders were marching in protest. Many returning veterans felt a deep sense of frustration that their service undertaken with characteristic skill and dedication was regarded with ambivalence or, in some cases, hostility. Vietnam was also significant as the first overseas war in which New Zealand did not fight alongside its traditional ally, Great Britain. Instead, our participation reflected our increasingly strong defence ties with the United States and Australia. Indeed, Vietnam saw a reaffirmation of the Anzac relationship, with New Zealand and Australian troops serving together in integrated Anzac units for the first time since the First World War. Image: Jim Carson collection A Chinook arrives to transport the 1RNZIR band to FSB Discovery, an artillery base supported by NZ infantry 5

6 ORDER OF SERVICE THE ARRIVAL Official guests are welcomed by Rear Admiral David Ledson ONZM (Rtd), National War Memorial Advisory Council; Heather Baggott, Ministry for Culture and Heritage; His Excellency Leasi Papli i Tommy Scanlan, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; Kris Faafoi MP; Lieutenant General Tim Keating MNZM, Chief of Defence Force; Mrs Brenda Keating; and Bob Hill, Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association RESPECTS PAID AT THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN WARRIOR Whakamaharatanga, the Remembrance Bell, tolls as the official party pay their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior Remembrance Bell tolls four times KARANGA June Jackson MNZM, supported by Peter Jackson, Taranaki Whānui Please stand PROCESSIONAL Rangimarie, the Peace Bell, tolls as the official party processes into the Hall of Memories NATIONAL ANTHEMS The National Anthems of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and New Zealand are played on the St Lazarus Pipe Organ by Timothy Hurd QSM, National Carillonist. Uniformed personnel salute Please be seated 6

7 WELCOME Chaplain Class Two Kevin Brophy PROLOGUE Read Admiral David Ledson ONZM (Rtd), Chair, National War Memorial Advisory Council ORAL HISTORY READING The Honourable David Bennett, Minister for Veterans Affairs VOCAL ITEM Anon Sings Pokarekare Ana SECOND READING Lieutenant General Tim Keating MNZM, Chief of Defence Force PRAYER Chaplain Class Two Kevin Brophy LAYING OF WREATHS Wreaths are laid by the following: The Honourable David Bennett on behalf of the Government and People of New Zealand His Excellency Jesus Domingo on behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of the Philippines His Excellency Seung-bae Yeo on behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of Korea His Excellency Scott Brown on behalf of the Government and People of the United States of America Group Captain John Davidson on behalf of the Government and People of the Commonwealth of Australia 7

8 Kris Faafoi MP on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition Lieutenant General Tim Keating MNZM together with Brenda Keating on behalf of the New Zealand Defence Force Admiral Scott H. Swift on behalf of the United States Military and their families Councillor Brian Dawson on behalf of the City of Wellington Lindsay Skinner on behalf of the Vietnam Veterans Association Dennis Montgomery on behalf of the New Zealand Surgical Team Caroline Preston on behalf of the New Zealand Red Cross Team Trevor Appleton on behalf of the Royal New Zealand Naval Association Air Commodore Terrence Gardiner ONZM (Rtd) on behalf of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Association Colonel David Moloney OBE (Rtd) on behalf of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association Aleisha Blakeley together with Lauren Blakeley representing the youth of New Zealand During the wreath laying Anon Vocal Ensemble sings from the rear of the Hall of Memories 8

9 Please stand ROLL OF HONOUR Lindsay Skinner reads the Roll of Honour of New Zealand military casualties, the name of the New Zealand Surgical Team casualty and the name of the New Zealand Red Cross Team casualty THE COMMEMORATION THE LAST POST The Bugler sounds the Last Post. Uniformed personnel salute The flags of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and New Zealand are lowered to half mast on the Forecourt THE ODE Chaplain Class Four Brendan Drew: E kore rātou e kaumātuatia Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore Ahakoa pēhea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā I te hekenga atu o te rā Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou Response: Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou Colonel David Moloney OBE (Rtd): They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them Response: We will remember them 9

10 One minute silence THE ROUSE BUGLER The flags of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and New Zealand, on the forecourt, are raised to full mast head BENEDICTION AND DISMISSAL Chaplain Class Two Kevin Brophy delivers the Benediction and Dismissal RECESSIONAL The official party process to the foyer In the foyer, Hon David Bennett and Lindsay Skinner sign the Visitors Book FLORAL TRIBUTES LAID ON THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN WARRIOR Hon David Bennett and Lindsay Skinner place their floral tributes on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior Veterans and guests may place poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior 10

11 Photographer: Associated Press. Alexander Turnbull Library ref: M-0456-F New Zealand soldier being presented with a garland of flowers by a woman from the Vietnamese army, Saigon, 5 August

The National Commemorative Service was arranged by the Visits and Ceremonial Office, Department of Internal Affairs, in partnership with the Ministry for Culture

12 The National Commemorative Service was arranged by the Visits and Ceremonial Office, Department of Internal Affairs, in partnership with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the New Zealand Defence Force, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Protocol Division), and the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association.

2 Atatürk Service. Wairarapa Archive, 11-72/4-2-19

2 Atatürk Service. Wairarapa Archive, 11-72/4-2-19 Atatürk Service 1 A soldier standing by a cemetery near a hill, at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli. The large cross at right has at least five names on it. The photo is presumably taken just before the evacuation