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→Commemoration and reconciliation
A total of 22 members of D Company were awarded South Vietnamese medals. However, it had long been the policy of the Australian military that its members could not accept awards from foreign powers, including allies. It was only in June 2004 that the awards were finally accepted by the Minister of Defence.
A total of 22 members of D Company were awarded South Vietnamese medals. However, it had long been the policy of the Australian military that its members could not accept awards from foreign powers, including allies. It was only in June 2004 that the awards were finally accepted by the Minister of Defence.
==Commemoration and reconciliation==
==Reconciliation and commemorations==
The Battle of Long Tan has become a symbol of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War and August 18th is now commemorated in Australia as ''Vietnam Veterans Day''. Almost 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam; 521 died and over 3,000 were wounded.
The Battle of Long Tan has become a symbol of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War and August 18th is now commemorated in Australia as ''Vietnam Veterans Day''. Almost 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam; 521 died and over 3,000 were wounded.
In 2015, Harry Smith pointed out that some had come to compare the Australian stand at Long Tan with the [[Battle of Rorke's Drift]], when 170 British soldiers held off 3,000 Zulus.<ref>[http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4086943/long-tan-pride/ Australian Vietnam vets have come a long way since the Battle of Long Tan 50 years ago</ref>
In 2015, Harry Smith pointed out that some had come to compare the Australian stand at Long Tan with the [[Battle of Rorke's Drift]], when 170 British soldiers held off 3,000 Zulus.<ref>[http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4086943/long-tan-pride/ Australian Vietnam vets have come a long way since the Battle of Long Tan 50 years ago</ref>
On 17 August 2016, the Australian government was informed that Vietnam would not allow about 1,000 veterans from Australia and New Zealand to visit Long Tan on ''Vietnam Veterans Day''. A personal appeal by Prime Minister [[Malcolm Turnbull]] of Australia to his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, led Vietnam to reverse its earlier decision. The next day, Vietnam allowed supervised groups of 100 people to visit the Long Tan battle.
==References==
==References==