Let us also not forget the more than 4000 that returned home suffering from physical injuries and uncounted more with mental health issues.

This August 18 marks the 53rd anniversary of the famous Battle of Long Tan, a conflict in which just a single Australian infantry company took on and defeated around a thousand trained Vietnamese soldiers.

But this year also marks the 50th Anniversary of the battle of Binh Ba, another of Australia's most significant encounters during the Vietnam War but a less well-known one.

This was a two-day battle, launched after an ambush on route 2, a highway classed as 'amber' - enemy contact possible, but unlikely.

The unlikely cost the lives of one Australian, and an estimated 100 Vietnamese men.

For the Australians it was one of the most comprehensive victories of the Vietnam War.

Despite being just 10 kilometres from the Australian base at Nui Dat, the village was held by the Viet Cong. They chose to fight to the death.

Australians used tanks to smash Viet Cong positions through the town, while the 105th Battery Howitzers, Royal Australian Artillery fired over 2000 rounds over a 48 hour period during the battle.

Allies South Vietnamese forces also aided the diggers throughout the battle.

The fighting lasted all day and only ended at last light. With Binh Ba still insecure, D Company and their armoured support subsequently occupied a defensive harbour for the night, exhausted by the fighting.

The fighting continued the next day, but by the evening the village was secure, the units adopted blocking positions overnight.

Operation Hammer concluded by 09:00hrs on 8 June with one final sweep carried out that morning to ensure that Binh Ba was clear.

By this time a large communist force had been defeated by the Australians, and the village practically destroyed. Indeed so badly damaged was Binh Ba that the villagers were subsequently resettled. Despite efforts to clear the village of civilians before the battle, a large but unknown number of civilians had undoubtedly died during the fighting.

One Australian had been killed and 10 wounded during the battle, while communist losses included at least 107 killed, six wounded and eight captured.

The battle was one of the major victories involving Australian troops in Vietnam and, although they would occasionally encounter communist Main Force units in the future, it effectively marked the end of such large scale clashes.

Indeed, as a result of such heavy losses suffered at Binh Ba the North Vietnamese were temporarily forced to move out of Phuoc Tuy and into the adjoining province of Long Khanh.

The Royal Australian Regiment, 3rd Cavalry Regiment and 1st Armoured Regiment were subsequently awarded the battle honour 'Binh Ba', one of only five presented to Australian units during the war.

It ranks as one of the major Australian victories of the war.

This Sunday, August 18, is Vietnam Veterans' Day. This is an edited version of a speech by RSL president Ken Michell.