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Veterans are calling on the federal government to award the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal to more than 2,500 national servicemen who served in Vietnam.
The Returned and Services League (RSL) NSW is calling for the change during Vietnam Veterans Day on 18 August this year. The organisation alleged that personnel served in Vietnam but were previously excluded from recognition due to a technicality.
Under the campaign, it’s alleged that personnel were conscripted into service and completed at least 60 days in-country; however, their national service obligations ended before they reached the 181-day threshold. They were sent home and subsequently denied a campaign medal.
Vietnam-era veteran Vince Restuccia, who served nearly a full tour in Vietnam but returned home just short of the RVCM threshold and received the medal late last year, confirmed that there is an emotional impact of exclusion, difficulty of the application process, and the pride of finally marching with full recognition alongside family and fellow veterans.
“I served in Vietnam with an Infantry Battalion for 113 days. My National Service obligations were completed in-country before I could fulfil the 181 days required for the award of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal,” he said.
“I did my share and faced the same dangers as everyone else, but without that medal, I felt like I was not quite part of the team. For decades, that stayed with me.
“After a long and difficult application process, supported by my PTSD diagnosis, I finally received the RVCM late last year.
“This Anzac Day was the first time I marched with all five medals on my chest, alongside my grandsons. For the first time, I felt recognised.
“It would mean a great deal for every veteran still waiting to have that same moment, and I hope it happens in their lifetime. We all served, we were all in harm’s way, and we all deserve to be acknowledged.”
RSL NSW recognises that these personnel were labelled “short-timers”, did not receive recognition and that making the change is a matter of equity, dignity and justice.
Richard Barry, OAM, a Vietnam veteran who has spent the past 30 years advocating for recognition of some 2,500 Vietnam-era national servicemen, said when he first applied for the RVCM, he was told he could face criminal charges if he wore it without approval.
He received the medal in 2023.
“Recognition matters. These men were sent to war. Many returned to a hostile homecoming. They’ve endured half a century of silence. This is an opportunity for the Australian government to correct that injustice,” Barry said.
“In recent months, I have voluntarily assisted 118 men receive the RVCM in the mail following a fresh interpretation of the eligibility criteria. My confidential list of affected Vietnam veterans is now around 400 and growing, so there is still a lot more work to do pending the outcome of my campaign for all.”
