We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Untitled image
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Ektachrome slide. Photograph by Barry John Cairns of building with coffins stacked up beside the building.
The surgean had almost finished repairing the visible abdominal damage when a blood vessel in the soldier's chest perforated catastrophically. He died on the treatre table. He was the only soldier they lost in theatre in the twelve months Jan was there. (Extract from "Our Vietnam Nurses" F35071 Janice McCarthy RAANC May 1968 - May 1969)
Small Australian flag, red and white ensign with 6 white stars depicting the Southern Cross constellation on a blue background. White border on left hand side with "Australia" printed in blue ink.
Australia on the white border.
flag, australia, nvvm, peter sims oam jp
This flag represented the North Vietnamese people. After the war it was adopted as the national flag and is referred to as the Flag Of the Socialist flag of Vietnam now.
Red colored small flag with bright yellow star in the center. It is bordered in white with Vietnam printed in red.
"Vietnam"
flag, vietnam, nvvm, peter sims oam jp, north vietnamese
Faded color photograph of two people-a man and a woman-seated with a crowd in the background. They are formally dressed and there is food on a table in front of the female. The photo is surrounded by a white border.
On the back of the photo " Best hotel for R&R approved by the B&R Centre Bangkok Hotel: Tapei, Taiwan. No 76.........Road Taipei Taiwan. R.O.C. Tel 559589-9 (all in blue ink) R&R 1970 see receipt written in black pen.
photograph, man and woman, peter sims oam jp., nvvm
This certificate had to be filled in by a person wanting to take a waitress out for a specified time.
Pink paper with black printing. Writing is in blue ink, with ticks over certain areas on the form.
Registration Form For Outgoing Of Waitress/Shanghai Bar/Sims P.
certificate, registration, peter sims, nvvm, shanghai bar, royal australian army medical corps
M1 Steel Helmet (complete) as used by Australian forces during the conflict in Vietnam.
Steel helmet with chinstrap and inner helmet with headband.
Inner shell sticker FR119. Liner also has 4 star stickers on it.
australian army forces, vietnam, helmet, m1, m1 steel
This book is my personal story, from boyhood to battlefield and beyond, written in my own words, reflecting on my life.
vietnam, general peter cosgrove, sir peter cosgrove
And so we are introduced the New Zealand infantrymen who make up Three Platoon as they embark on the twentieth day of Operation Field Gold deep in the jungle of Vietnam
vietnam, kiwis, new zealand, operation field gold, three platoon
Standard issue Army wrist watch, commonly called a "Mickey Mouse" watch. This item was specifically made for Australian military use in 1970.
A silver metal wrist watch with a glass cover over a round black face with white numbers for both 24 and 12 hour markings. The hands and 5-minute marks glow in the dark. Watch has wind up motion. Army issue green nylon band has a black clasp.
Back: Watch. Wrist general purpose. MIL-W-46374A HAMILTON fsn6645-00-952-3767 Army
military issue, watch, 1200hr 2400hr watch, wrist watch, vietnam
Where Australians Fought: the Encyclopedia of Australia's Battles contains concise descriptions of all the major battles over the past 200 years that have taken place in Australia or in which Australians have been involved.
vietnam, battle of long tan, battle of coral balmoral
fiction
The Sorrow of War vaults over all the American fiction that came out of the Vietnam war to take its place alongside the greatest war novel of the century.
vietnam, survivor of war
Anxiety, depression, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other stress-related conditions are controlling our lives, affecting our health and happiness - and they are killing us!
ptsd, vietnam, veteran
The Vietnam War Day by Day is a chronological approach to the conflict, allowing the reader to see at a glance the key operations on land, at sea, and in the air - such as Cedar Falls, Junction City, Rolling Thunder and the Tet Offensive.
vietnam, tet offensive, cedar falls, junction city
This framed image was part of the estate of LSSV Maxwell Hart. Service No: R94031
Estate of of LSSL Maxwell Hart Service No: R94031
Sepia drawing of side view of the ship HMAS VAMPIRE D11 with details about the ship, and about LSSV M Hart.
Top right hand corner: Image of the badge for HMAS VAMPIRE .
hmas vampire d11, navy, ran, hart, vietnam
Blue, white and red striped cotton pyjamas issued to soldiers training during Vietnam conflict. Worn by Russell Alex Walker. Service No: 3789575. Rank: Craftsman. Corps: Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, 17 Construction
Blue, white and red striped pyjamas issued by the Australian Department of Defence. Jacket is long- sleeved with a collar, and fastens with 4 plastic buttons. Long pants fasten with a cord.
royal corps of australian electrical and mechanical engineers., 17th construction squadron, pyjamas, raeme, walker
typical United States Army issue fatigue shirt worn by soldiers in the Vietnam War.
A green United States Army issue fatigue shirt with four pockets on the front. Pockets have slanted flaps. Shirt is fastened by 5 plastic buttons. United States cotton badges on the left side of the shirt and on the top of the left sleeve. One is Airborne. The soldier's name is above the pocket on the right shirt front.
On the right side of the shirt above the pocket appears the word "SPEIGHTS". Above the left side pocket appears 3 cloth badges. One says US Army. On the front left side pocket is a material badge of a winged torch with flames.
united states army, fatigue shirt, u s uniform
non-fiction
Long after the last spasm of the Vietnam War, the day tank no. 844 trundled through the Presidential gates in Saigon after a journey of over two throusand miles, the memories and experiences of this ferocious conflict continue to haunt a whole generation, East and West.
vietnam, saigon
non-fiction
Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Ian McPhedran uncovers compelling stories of extreme bravery in action from WW2 to today.
bravery, medals, heroes
fiction
Young steel worker from Pennsylvania is not prepared for the horrors of war in Vietnam
vietnam, american, movie
A faded blue covered book with 70 lined pages and a darker blue binding
australia - armed forces - service manuals, 1st australian field hospital
37 Squadron RAAF Royal Australian Air Force
A wooden shield with a cloth insignia badge on it. The insignia reads 'Squadron 37 37 Royal Australian Air Force' with the word 'FOREMOST' on the bottom in black. In the middle there is a round blue and red circle with a set of wings.
Squadron 37 royal Australian Air Force
37 sqn raaf, royal australian air force
An army issue canteen pouch used for carrying a drink bottle. The name shown on the front of this item is not a Vietnam Veteran.
An army issue canteen holder.
Coop's 185 988
army issue, canvas
Silver flip-top Zippo lighter. Personalised with engraving.
LIVE BY CHANCE/ LOVE BY CHOICE/ DRINK BY DESIGN/ SMOKE BY COMPULSION/ GAMBLE BY NECESSITY YEA THOUGH I WALK/ THROUGH THE VALLEY/ OF THE SHADOW OF/ DEATH I WILL FEAR/ NO EVIL FOR I AM THE/ EVILEST SON OF A BITCH/ IN THE VALLEY.
zippo lighter, capt i.c. teague, aattv, cigarette lighter
A shield-shaped wooden plaque with enamel emblem of 8th Field Ambulance: the Australian flag to the left and the South Vietnamese flag to the right. The Australian flag is blue and white and the South Vietnamese flag is yellow with three (3) red stripes. Centre top of the enamel cute out is a yellow banner with the words '67 Vietnam 68' below this in the centre is the number eight (8). Under this are the words '8th Field Ambulance'.
vietnam 1967 - 1968, plaque, 8th field ambulance, shield
Used in Vietnam 1968-9, by Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) Brian Leonard Start, a National Serviceman in 17th Construction Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers.
Silver flip-top cigarette lighter. Has been personalised with the RAE emblem in gold on the front and engraving of serviceman's name, number and year on the back. Stored in original box.
Front: R.A.E. VIETNAM, Back: 3791450/SRR START/'68-69
r.a.e., bl start, "68-69, special reconnaissance regiment, 3791450, engineers, zippo, vietnam, cigarette lighter
A journal compiled by Keith Mackie about the life of Private Errol Noack. There is also a letter from Keith to NVVM inside the book and a USB.
private errol noack, national service., national servicemen -- personal narratives, australian., noack collection via grant collins
non-fiction
vietnam war, politics
This flag was designed and handmade by the South Vietnam Resistance Army. It was donated to the RAAF Vietnam Veterans Association by former soldier, Le Van Luc, who was a soldier in the South Vietnamese Army until 1975, and then a member of the resistance movement.
Hand made Republic of South Vietnam National Flag. The main colour of the flag is yellow. It has three red stripes in the centre stitched in red.
Currency issued by United States Military to United States Personnel in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
A green five (5) cent Military Payment Certificate.
"The number 5 is located on all four corners./"Military Payment Certificate"/"C12466001C"/"FIVE CENTS"/"47"/An image of a submarine located on right hand side with six (6) persons standing on the tower with a United States flag./ Right hand side vertically "Series 681"/Centre bottom "For Use In United States Military Establishments By United States/ Authorised Personnel In Accordance With Applicable Rules And Regulations"
united states, currency, five cents
Worn on duty at Vung Tau by James Archbold while on patrol for 3 months in 1968.
Khaki felt slouch hat with a leather band on the inside and a leather chin strap. A material band around the outer part of the hat (puggaree) with a metal badge attached to the brim with the brass Provost Corps emblem.
Fayrefield Melbourne 6 7/8 1966.
james archbold, 1968, provost, vung tau, archbold, slouch
Army issue to combat soldiers. The wet weather material would have been strung up via a tree support or wrapped over the solider to protect them from the rain.
Green vinyl plastic sheet with reinforced corners with eyelets for cords to be attached. Reinforced borders with press studs and loops. Nylon cord attached to be used for hanging/securing of wet weather sheet.
Illegible rectangle label on centre of sheet. Torn label on border
wet weather sheet, combat solider, ground sheet, waterproof
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
