More than 100 people, including a number Vietnam Veterans, gathered at Walsh Park, Bomaderry to commemorate the 50th anniversary.

Shoalhaven Sub Branch of the Vietnam Veteran’s Association hosted the commemoration.

Guest speaker was retired army Captain Ned Miller who was with the 176th Air Dispatch Company and now lives at Sanctuary Point.

The service included wreath laying and a stirring rendition of the Last Post and Reveille by bugler Peter Williams as the sun was setting.

Long Tan was Australia’s first major conflict in the Vietnam War and the largest single unit battle fought in Vietnam by Australian troops.

August 18 each year was originally known as Long Tan Day, chosen to commemorate the men of D Company, 6RAR who fought in the battle of Long Tan in 1966. It is now known as Vietnam Veterans Day.

The conflict in began on the afternoon of August 18 and went through the night until the morning of the 19th.