Australian Army Training Team Vietnam | |
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Active | 31 July 1962 – 16 February 1973 |
Country | Australia |
Branch | Australian Army |
Type | Military advisors |
Role | Counter-insurgency Military education and training |
Size | ~30–227 men |
Part of | Australian Force Vietnam |
Garrison/HQ | Saigon, South Vietnam |
Nickname(s) | "The Team" "The Expendables" |
Motto(s) | "Persevere"[1] |
Engagements | Battle of Duc Lap Battle of Kham Duc |
Decorations | Meritorious Unit Commendation (United States) Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (South Vietnam) |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | F.P. Serong |
The Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) was a specialist unit of military advisors of the Australian Army that operated during the Vietnam War. Raised in 1962, the unit was formed solely for service as part of Australia's contribution to the war, providing training and assistance to South Vietnamese forces. Initially numbering only approximately 30 men, the size of the unit grew several times over the following years as the Australian commitment to South Vietnam gradually grew, with the unit's strength peaking at 227 in November 1970. Members of the team worked individually or in small groups, operating throughout the country from the far south to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the north. Later they were concentrated in Phước Tuy Province as Australian forces prepared to withdraw from Vietnam. It is believed to be the most decorated Australian unit to serve in Vietnam; its members received over 100 decorations, including four Victoria Crosses, during its existence. The unit was withdrawn from South Vietnam on 18 December 1972 and was disbanded in Australia on 16 February 1973. A total of 1,009 men served with the unit over a period of ten years, consisting of 998 Australians and 11 New Zealanders.