Soldiers behind iconic Vietnam War photo reunite in Tamworth

The platoon are in Tamworth for their bi-annual catch-up, which coincides with National Vietnam Veterans Day on Friday.

Every two years, the platoon meets up in the hometown of one its members. This year it’s Peter Capp’s turn to host his comrades.

While the photo of the platoon waiting for a helicopter to land may have become iconic, Mr Capp said he’d prefer the picture to represent everyone who fought in the Vietnam War, not just the select few in the photo.

Because the war became so unpopular, Mr Capp said many Vietnam veterans had a “tough welcome home”.

“This platoon survive that by bonding together,” Mr Capp said.

“The only thing that saves you is developing an attitude where you don’t take life or yourself too seriously.

“We realised the most valuable thing we came home with was camaraderie and friendship. 

“We have a lot of fun when we get together. We don’t play waries all over again.”

Platoon leader, Wally Harris, said there was one exception when it came to “spinning a warie”.

“If it does come up, it’s mainly funny incidents or all remembering the stupid things,” he said. 

Mr Harris doesn’t even remember which operation the platoon was on when the photo was taken – “it was over 50 years ago” he says with a laugh. But he remembers the first time he saw it.

“I was walking through Sydney only matter of months after returning and I saw it in a framed picture in David Jones,” he said.

He’s since seen it on everything from biscuit tins to port jugs. The photo has gone on to become an icon of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War and has been immortalised on the Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra, engraved onto its stone face.

Taken by war photographer Mike Coleridge on August 26, 1967, the photo shows the platoon waiting for an helicopter to take them back to Nui Dat at the end of Operation Ulmarr, which involved searching a village for weapons and Viet Cong soldiers.

While Vietnam Veterans Day is on Friday, 5 Platoon will hold its commemoration ceremony on Saturday, at the Vietnam War memorial on Marius Street. All are welcome to join.