In 1965, HMAS Sydney sailed on the first of 25 trips to Vũng Tàu, transporting Australian soldiers and equipment to serve in the Vietnam War. This is how the ship became known by the nickname " the Vung Tau Ferry".Shield-shaped wooden plaque with a bronze attachment displaying a crown, anchor, boomerang, woomera and nulla nulla with the word Sydney. Emblem of he HMAS SydneySYDNEY / THOROUGH AND READYsydney, navy, vungtau ferry, hmas sydney, australian navy

From the collection of Squadron Leader Alan Reed of the Royal Australian Air Force 052363. He served in Vietnam from 26 May 1968 until 20 November 1968, and spent most of his tour detached to the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, US Air Force. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in June 1989 for his service to the RAAF as Air Officer Commanding, Support Command. For his service with the USAF, Alan Reed was awarded the United States Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster. His final rank with the Air Force was Air Vice Marshal and his last posting was with Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam (RAAF Element). A photograph of HMAS Sydney loaded ready to sail from Brisbane 1965 for Vung Tau, Vietnam hmas sydney, vungtau ferry, brisbane wharf