Decades on, marking the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, Mr Coombs is set to speak about Australia’s military achievements and share his firsthand account of serving in the 4RAR-NZ battalion — which recorded “the last casualty in Vietnam” — at Nagambie’s Vietnam Veterans’ Day service.
“I’m going to speak on the logistics of Vietnam and the Vietnam War, and why we took very few casualties,” Mr Coombs said.
“The main tactic of the Australian infantry battalions was to locate and ambush. I myself did 31 ambushes in 30 nights at different locations, and that’s how it was.
“The Australian Army could move out in the bush, and they just disappeared — they disappeared properly. That’s why we were so successful.”
While Vietnam Veterans’ Day services are now a common practice across the country, there was a time when returned soldiers weren’t even allowed to join their local RSL club.
Nagambie RSL Club president Brad Klooger said it was important to show respect to the veterans that served in Vietnam.
“When you talk to some people, the experiences they had when they came home really weren’t good,” he said.
“I think we need to appreciate them, they went because they had to go.”
Mr Coombs recalls returning to the country and thinking “we can’t go out of the airport, all hell will break loose” after landing in Adelaide, where a large demonstration was taking place.
While he and his fellow soldiers were quietly rerouted on a flight to Melbourne to sidestep the protest, the hostility directed at Vietnam Veterans lingered for many years to come.
“We all had to take off our uniform, and you’re representing your country. I thought that was terrible,” he said.
“I feel very hurt, really hurt. We did it hard, Australian soldiers worked really hard — not only infantry, they all worked diligently, all right through.
“It wasn’t good, we didn’t get much thanks for it.”
He said he understood the protests, but he wished they were directed at the correct party.
“I didn’t mind them demonstrating, but they were demonstrating in the wrong way,” Mr Coombs said.
“They should’ve been going to Parliament House instead.
“We were only doing what we were told, if we didn’t do what we were told it was classed as treason.”
Mr Klooger, who was serving in the army when the long-overdue 1992 Vietnam War welcome home parade was held in Canberra, said he was pleased to have secured Mr Coombs as guest speaker at the Nagambie service.
“I’m very appreciative of him, I’m really glad that John’s helping,” he said.
“The people that passed away need to be remembered. It’s 60 years, and those names have sort of faded. We need to make sure they’re not forgotten.”
He said the service would also honour the full breadth of Australian contributions to the war effort – from army, navy and air force personnel through to nurses and army cooks.
Mr Coombs said the respect for Vietnam veterans had changed over the years, and he was glad to be able to speak at the Nagambie service.
The ceremony will be held on Tuesday, August 18 at the Nagambie War Memorial on High St from 11am.
All are welcome back to the clubroom for light refreshments after the ceremony.
Prospective attendees can RSVP by contacting 0425 734 801.
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