Vietnam War's Inaugural Medal of Honor Awardee Dies

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The Vietnam War’s Inaugural Medal of Honor Awardee, Roger H.C. Donlon, has passed away on January 25, just five days before his 90th birthday. 

Upon enlisting in the Army in 1958, Roger H.C. Donlon, already acquainted with military life from a stint in the Air Force in 1953, embarked on a journey that would lead him to become the first Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War. Leaving the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1957 after initially enrolling, Donlon chose to pursue his destiny in the Army. Following Officer Candidate School, he qualified for Special Forces and was deployed to Vietnam in 1964. 

It was in July of that year that he displayed exceptional courage and tenacity in defending an Americal training camp, earning him the prestigious Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in the US Military. It's equivalent to Australia's Victoria Cross.

- Read more on Frontline

US Medal of Honor

Recognising our Vietnam War Veterans

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Everyone is welcome ----Today a national commemorative service to acknowledge the 50th Anniversary of the end of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War is being held from 10:00 am at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra.

Image credit: Virtual War Memorial

This service is an opportunity for Australians to thank our Vietnam veterans for their service, and remember those who did not return.

To learn more about this event, click here to watch a YouTube video by Sir Peter Cosgrove inviting you to join in this commemorative event.

Additional information from the DVA site indicates that:

"The Department of Veterans’ Affairs will deliver a televised service today to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial on Anzac Parade.

The service will be broadcast live across Australia by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and streamed online. The ABC will also make the broadcast available to other networks to provide all members of the community the opportunity to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War in a solemn and dignified manner from their home.

DVA develops a range of commemorative and educational materials to further help recognise and remember those who served in the Vietnam War. To learn more about Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, and access these materials, visit their Anzac Portal."

Commemorating the End of the Vietnam War

Tomorrow marks 50 years since the 1973 proclamation of the end of Australian involvement in the Vietnam War. 

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said 11 January also marks the beginning of the official Vietnam 50 commemorations for 2023. “More than 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam, over 3,000 were wounded and 523 lost their lives in the longest conflict Australia was involved in during the 20th Century,” Minister Keogh said. “This was a war that was at times contentious at home, and for some veterans their service not recognised as it should have been.

“In December we marked the 50th anniversary of the Whitlam Labor Government’s end to the last National Service scheme in Australia and the anniversary of the withdrawal of the Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam. “The Australian Government is honouring those who served, and throughout this commemorative year will specifically recognise and honour the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans and their families,” Minister Keogh said. 

All Vietnam Veterans and National Servicemen, even if they were not deployed, are eligible to claim through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and entitled to a White Card that includes mental health support. DVA will recognise this significant anniversary through a broad awareness campaign throughout 2023 including a documentary series to be screened on the ABC, and providing historical and educational resources to schools, ex-service organisations and community groups. This will culminate in a national commemorative service on Vietnam Veterans’ Day, 18 August 2023, in Canberra, recognising the service of all Australians who served in the Vietnam War and honouring the sacrifices that they and their families made. 

For more information about acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, visit the DVA website: http://www.dva.gov.au/VietnamCommemorativeService

Photo acknowledgement: Australian War Memorial