Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in the Vietnam War ‘Collie Boys’
Some 2,800 Naval personnel saw active service during the Vietnam War. Of these eight were killed and fifty received serious injuries. ‘Collie Boys’ served on the following ships;
1. HMAS Perth was one of three Guided Missile Destroyers, built in the USA for the Royal Australian Navy.
HMAS Perth entered service in 1965, followed by HMAS Hobart and HMAS Brisbane. The first of the three destroyers (HMAS Hobart) was deployed to Vietnam in 1967 to increase the Australian resources to the War. The main role of the destroyers was to provide Naval Gunfire Support to troops on the ground. In addition the destroyers patrolled the North Vietnam coast, conducted anti infiltration operations and provided escort support to USN Aircraft Carriers.
The three destroyers served multiple deployments on a six month rotation basis.
2. HMAS Sydney (converted aircraft carrier) was used extensively as a troop carrier during the Vietnam War.
Affectionately known as ‘The Vung Tau Ferry’, it made multiple deployments to Vietnam during the war, carrying troops and equipment.
3. HMAS Vendetta, a Daring Class Destroyer built in the 1940s, was used extensively as an escort destroyer for the troopship, HMAS Sydney, during the Vietnam War.
4. HMAS Melbourne, (Aircraft Carrier), was used as an escort for the troopship HMAS Sydney during the Vietnam War.
5. HMAS Jeparit, was originally chartered from the Australian National Line to carry cargo to Vietnam.
The Jeparit was later commissioned into the RAN as a cargo vessel and was crewed by RAN personnel and continued to carry stores to Vietnam.
6. HMAS Derwent, a River Class Destroyer, was used as an escort for the troopship HMAS Sydney, during the Vietnam War.
7. HMAS Vampire, a Daring Class Destroyer built in the 1940s, was used extensively as an escort destroyer for the troopship, HMAS Sydney, during the Vietnam War.
8. HMAS Stuart, one of six, type 12 A/S Frigates in the RAN, was used extensively as an escort for the Troopship, HMAS Sydney, during the Vietnam War.
9. HMAS Duchess, a Daring Class Destroyer built in the 1940s, was used extensively as an escort destroyer for the troopship, HMAS Sydney, during the Vietnam War.
10. HMAS Yarra, a River Class Destroyer, was used as an escort for the troopship HMAS Sydney, during the Vietnam War.
11. HMAS Parramatta, a River Class Destroyer, was used as an escort for the troopship HMAS Sydney, during the Vietnam War.
12. RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam. The Royal Australian Helicopter Flight served in Vietnam with the United States 135th Assault Helicopter Company.
For the last nine months of deployment the Flight operated out of Dong Tam in the Mekong Delta Region.