The National Vietnam Veterans Museum – Australia. Photo Review

The National Vietnam Veterans Museum was established commemorate and understand the experiences of Australian Vietnam War veterans. Situated on Philip Island, about two hours drive south of the Melbourne CBD. But, whilst the museum may be a bit of a distance from the city centre, it is still well worth the effort, especially for collectors and researchers. Moreover, the island itself offers a variety of attractions, making it an ideal destination for an enjoyable day trip.

Visitors can begin their visit with a sound and light show, which provides an overview of the conflict, delving into the political landscape, the contentious issue of conscription, and the Battle of Long Tan. This introduction sets the stage for an enriched exploration of the exhibits which are broken into sections (see plan above).

Medals and NOK telegram informing the parents of Errol Wayne Noack that he had been killed in Vietnam. Private Noack, aged 21, was the first national serviceman to be killed in Vietnam, just 11 days after joining his battalion in-country. Photo: Julian Tennant

***Part of the AATTV display featuring ceremonial dress and weapons used by the Montagnards of Central Vietnam circa 1965. Photo: Julian Tennant***

An extremely unusual AATTV shoulder title in the winter battledress style that is on display at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum. There was no caption accompanying this piece and as the unit only existed within Vietnam, where winter battledress was never used, the rationale and story associated with this badge is unknown. The museum does contain some post-war ‘commemorative’ pieces in its displays and it is possibly one of those rather than being an authentic wartime period badge. Photo: Julian Tennant

***‘Mickey Mouse’ watch and compass used by SAS patrols in Vietnam. Photo: Julian Tennant***

Detail of the winter ‘Battledress’ uniform jacket belonging to Ian ‘Trader’ Teague (AATTV and SASR). Of particular note on this uniform are the unique locally made SAS wings which Teague had custom made whilst in Singapore. Captain Teague served with Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in South Vietnam from 17 April 1964 until 10 December 1965. Initially he was with the Revolutionary Development, CSD Danang Group, responsible for the Quang Ngai Combat, Psy Ops, Civic Action Teams’. These were renamed Peoples Action Teams (PAT) in 1965. Following this, from May until November 1965, he became coordinator of the national PAT program in I, II and IV Corps. Then from 3 to 10 December 65, he was attached to HQ AFV for the final week of his first tour. From 27 January 1970 until 3 December 1970 Ian Teague returned to Vietnam as a Major for his second tour of duty, serving as the Officer Commanding 1 SAS Sqn at Nui Dat. In addition to the unit citations awarded to AATTV, Ian was also one of the few AATTV members awarded GSM 1962 with Clasp South Vietnam, US Air Medal for Valour (with ‘V’ Device), US Army Commendation Medal for Service, US Air Medal for Service with Cluster, South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (with Gold Star) and South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (with Silver Star). Photo: Julian Tennant

***This Zippo belonged to Captain Ian “Trader” Teague and dates to his service with the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam. Photo: Julian Tennant***

***A diorama of the tunnel network used by the Vietcong during the Vietnam War. Photo: Julian Tennant***

***North Vietnamese Army (NVA) pith helmet. Photo: Julian Tennant***

Modified US Field Torch captured during an ambush initiated by 1RAR in 1969. The torch had been modified by the VC. The front glass had been cut in a star shape with a red background sheet for night identification. The spare coloured lenses which are stored in the base had paper placed in between them to minimise noise. Photo: Julian Tennant

The Box Mk2. During 5RAR’s 2nd tour in 1969, most of the battalion’s operations were deemed “search and destroy”. This entailed searching for enemy camps and bunker systems by day and ambushing by night. Limited numbers of sleep deprived troops on the night ambushes exposed a platoon to being discovered through lack of vigilance before the ambush was sprung. The Box Mk 2 was invented to allow multiple Claymore mines to be initiated from a single location. It provided the platoon commander with the ability to site an ambush with the flanks further back from the track without compromising security. The box was manned by the platoon commander and one or two members of the platoon HQ who worked in shifts and its use reduced the danger of enemy discovery before they had entered the killing area. Photo: Julian Tennant

A locally made Royal Australian Armoured Corps and US Army 11th Armoured Cavalry patches attached to a flying suit belonging to 2nd Lieutenant Graeme Smith, troop commander of 2 Troop, 3 Cavalry Squadron. His troop operated with the US Army’s 11th Armoured Cavalry from Bin Hoa Province to the North at ‘Bear Cat’. Photo: Julian Tennant

USN ‘Brown Water Navy’ patch on a jacket traded for a beer mug with a green enamel kangaroo and 20 dong coin at the EOD boozer – Sig Hill, Vung Tau b Lyle F. Johnson in 1970. Photo: Julian Tennant

As visitors wander through the museum, they encounter a myriad of artifacts that shed light on the individuals who lived through the war. Many of these items have been generously donated by veterans, resulting in a collection that is both deeply personal and uniquely fascinating. One can stumble upon unexpected treasures, such as a set of hotel keys pilfered from a Vung Tau hotel by a soldier staying there overnight, locally made insignia or tailor made ‘party suits’ worn when off duty in base camp environments.

Keys from the Grand Hotel Vung Tau, 1969. Private Phillip William McCarthy stole this set of keys from the hotel while on recreational leave. He recalls, “During the night some weird things happened – people were banging on doors and shouting in Vietnamese – it scared the living daylights out of me… So, the next moring as I was leaving the hotel, I spotted this bundle of keys on the front desk. I just scooped them up and put them safely in my pocket.” Photo: Julian Tennant

Metal 7 RAR (the ‘pig battalion’) ‘Tac Sign used by the CO, Lt Col. Smith on his vehicle whilst on operations in South Vietnam from April 1967 to April 1968 and beer can opener from the D Coy, 7 RAR bar in their base camp at Nui Dat. During the 1960’s beer cans were made out of metal and did not have a ring-pull. The diggers were allowed 2 cans per day and when they returned from operations, they were able to catch up on their ration allowance. This lever was a popular home-made can opener that was bolted to the boozer bar. The base was made from a shell casing whilst a piece of star picket was used for the stem. It was brought home after 7 RAR’s first tour by Kevin Liddell. Photo: Julian Tennant

***“White Mice” Republic of Vietnam National Police (Canh Sat) hat. Photo: Julian Tennant***

ARVN Ranger uniform reportedly belonging to Major Tran Dinh Tu of the 38th Ranger Battalion who along with 13 of his Rangers were executed by the Communists at 1625hrs on 30 April 1975 after his men finally ran out of ammunition and were overrun at the San Bridge at Cu Chi. According to the didactic caption, this was Tu’s spare uniform that his brother Loc had taken to San Jose in California and then subsequently gave to Andy Nguyen, President of the ARVN Rangers Association in 2015. However, the uniform appears to be a post war BDU and the insignia are not the correct Vietnam War period manufacture but recent reproductions. Photos: Julian Tennant

Detail showing the army pilot brevet on a Pilot’s 2-piece Flying Suit worn by Captain FJ (Frank) Markcrow of 161 (Independent) Reconnaissance Squadron, Australian Army Aviation Corps, 1969-70. Photo: Julian Tennant

***B-52 diorama at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum. Photo: Julian Tennant***

“Party suit” worn by RAAF pilot, Squadron Leader Alan Reed AO whilst serving as an exchange officer with USAF. Alan flew over 100 missions during his tour of Vietnam with the USAF 12th Reconnaissance Squadron, flying RF-4C Phantom ‘Carolina Kangaroo’. Photo: Julian Tennant

Martin Baker Ejectee patch belonging to Wing Commander John Downing. On 14 March 1971 Wing Commander and navigator Flight Lieutenant Allan Pinches were on a bombing run in Canberra Magpie A84-228, callsign ‘Magpie 41’. Above dense cloud some 600m north of Phan Rang, and still carrying six 750-pound bombs they were hit by a surface to air missile. Downing, flying his 100th combat mission made the May Day distress call and both men ejected before the aircraft broke up. Flight Lieutenant Pinches sustained 4 crushed vertebrae at the ejection. Wing Commander Downing broke a kneecap when he landed on a rocky ledge. Both men were winched out 27 rainy hours later by a US Army rescue helicopter. They were the first and only members of the RAAF to be shot down by a SAM. Photo: Julian Tennant

***Martin Baker ‘Tie Club’ certificate awarded to John Downing. Julian Tennant***

Beyond the personal effects, the museum also boasts an impressive collection of larger items. Among them are a Centurion tank, a Mark V International Harvester truck, and a 105mm pack howitzer. Additionally, aviation enthusiasts will find a de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou transport plane, an English Electric Canberra bomber, a Westland Wessex helicopter, a Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopter gunship, a Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter, a Bell H-13 Sioux helicopter, and a Grumman S-2 Tracker anti-submarine warfare aircraft.

At the rear of the museum, past the workshop and aircraft restoration area you can exit the building into the Garden of Reflection which includes individual unit dedications as well as a replica of the Long Tan Cross.

***Workshop and Aircraft Restoration area near the back of the museum***.

Near the entrance, visitors can enjoy a refreshment at the café whilst chatting to the volunteers, most of whom are veterans able to give personal insights into the experience. During my visit I had a very interesting conversation with a volunteer who had served as a door gunner with the Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Fight Vietnam (RANHFV). There is also a small shop which stocks a nice selection of Australian related Vietnam War books along with other souvenir items. A visit to the National Vietnam Veterans Museum is a poignant and enlightening journey into the conflict and for the collector it offers a range of interesting personal artifacts that are rarely seen. Highly recommended.