THE FAMOUS PHOTO

On the 26th of August 1967, one of the most famous images of the Vietnam War was captured by Michael Coleridge. The image, which has been etched on the rear wall of the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra, shows members of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7RAR waiting to be airlifted by US Army helicopters from an area just north of the village of Phuoc Hai in Phuoc Tuy province of South Vietnam.

The photograph has become an enduring iconic image of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War and in recognition of this, the photograph was selected to be etched on the Vietnam Forces National Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra

Following the Remembrance Day commemoration on 11th of November the surviving members of the Platoon including some of the men in the photo will arrive for a reunion in Ballina. Platoon commander Major (retired) Wally Harris continues to lead his old platoon to this day and that may not be unique, but it is, nevertheless a ‘Band of Brothers’ like achievement given the considerable passage of time since the Vietnam war and the ravages of old age. A platoon member and Alstonville resident Chris Simpson and his wife Sue have been attending to the arrangements for the reunion and have confrmed that many platoon members who reside in most states of Australia have committed to the reunion and will fy in or drive to the Byron Bay/Ballina coastal fringe for a week of relaxation and sightseeing.