‘I had to grow up pretty quick': WA Vietnam veterans share stories of bravery, camaraderie on Anzac Day
Terry Newman was just 19 years old when he found himself more than 5000 kilometres from home in South Vietnam.
He didn't know it at the time, but the member of the A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, would soon be on the front line in the longest and bloodiest battle for Australia of the 12-year Vietnam War.
Twenty six Australians perished and more than 100 were wounded during the Battle of Coral–Balmoral, which raged for 26 days between May and June in 1968 against the North Vietnamese Army.
'It was pretty hairy at times,' Newman says, pointing to the green Unit Citation for Gallantry pin he was awarded on the 50th anniversary of the battle.
'There were some pretty ferocious battles during the time that I was there.
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'It was devastating, and most of us were only young blokes ... I had to grow up pretty quick.'
Fellow Vietnam veteran Kevin Hastie, who was only a few years older at the time, spoke of a similar experience.
As difficult as it was, the former president of the Bicton/Palmyra RSL Sub-Branch said it was the sense of camaraderie among the Australian soldiers that helped him persevere.
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