The Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans is a comprehensive and invaluable resource for anyone seeking to find records, information, or insights about individuals who served in Australia’s Vietnam War efforts. Maintained by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), it provides verified details about men and women who served in the Australian Defence Forces in Vietnam from 23 May 1962 to 29 April 1975. Whether you’re conducting genealogical research, seeking information about a veteran for commemorative purposes, or simply looking to locate someone who served, the nominal roll is an excellent starting point.

What Information Can You Find?

The Nominal Roll contains a wealth of details about Australia’s Vietnam War veterans. When you search for someone, you will typically find the following information:

• Full Name – The legal name of the individual as recorded at the time of service.
• Rank and Service Number – Their rank and unique service number during their time in Vietnam.
• Branch of Service – Identifies whether they served in the Army, Navy, or Air Force.
• Unit – Indicates the specific unit they were attached to during their deployment.
• Date of Birth – Providing context about their age at the time of service.
• Date(s) of Service – Start and end dates of their involvement in the Vietnam War, including whether they served in other overseas deployments related to this period.
• Honours and Awards – If applicable, any recognized awards or medals the individual received in acknowledgment of their service.

Each record on the Nominal Roll has undergone verification to ensure accuracy and credibility. This makes it a reliable tool for historical and personal research.

How to Search the Nominal Roll

The Nominal Roll website offers an intuitive and user-friendly search function. Here’s how you can use it to find information:

Visit the Website

Navigate to the Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans website

Search by Name

Provide the individual’s first and/or last name. If you’re unsure of the exact spelling, partial names are accepted. For example, searching “John” may yield results for “Johnston” or “Johnson” as well.

Search by Service Details

If a name alone doesn’t give enough context, you can refine your search using additional service details such as service branch (Army, Navy, Air Force), rank, or unit. This is particularly helpful if you are looking for someone with a common name.

Advanced Search

The website also allows for advanced search criteria, including filtering by honours/awards or specific service dates. This is helpful when searching for records without a specific name in mind.

Review the Results

Once you run a search, the system will display the available records that match your criteria. Clicking on a specific record will provide complete details about the veteran.

For historians, family researchers, or anyone deeply connected to Australia’s military history, the Nominal Roll is a powerful tool. It provides not just basic identifying information but also paints a clearer picture of the personnel and their significant contributions to the Vietnam War. Whether you’re writing a tribute, connecting family lines, or attempting to locate someone for a reunion, this database stands as a respectful tribute to their service and a reliable source of information.