The Vietnam War

At the end of the Vietnam War 6 Australian servicemen were still listed as missing in action. Between 2007 and 2009 Army successfully recovered 4 soldiers and 2 airmen. The remains were repatriated to Australia and laid to rest by their families, there are now no Australian servicemen missing in Vietnam.

Lance Corporal Gillespie

Lance Corporal Gillespie was the medic on board a Royal Australian Air Force dustoff helicopter that was shot down over the Long Hai Hills in Phuoc Tuy province in 1971.

His remains were discovered in 2007. Lance Corporal John Gillespie was buried in a private family ceremony in Melbourne on Saturday 22 December 2007.

Private Fisher

In January 2008, following the successful recovery of other missing Australian soldiers in Vietnam, Army began investigating the case of the last missing Australian soldier from the Vietnam War, Private David Fisher.

Private Fisher’s remains were discovered in 2008 and he was repatriated to Australia in October of that year. 

Lance Corporal Parker and Private Gillson

On 8 November 1965 A Company of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment encountered an enemy position in the Tui Gang Toi north-east of Bien Hoa in southern Vietnam. During the ensuing battle 2 of the company, Lance Corporal Richard Parker and Private Peter Gillson, were killed but their bodies could not be recovered.

The remains of both were discovered in 2007. Lance Corporal Parker is buried in Canberra and Private Gillson is buried in Melbourne.