Vietnam veteran Rick Gross, of Ellen Grove, remembers his time at war

MEET Rick Gross, a Vietnam war veteran who gives an insight into his time on the battlefields.

Vietnam Veteran Day : Battle of Long Tan 40th anniversary march in Brisbane : Rick Gross , member of the third cavalry who fought at the battle of Long Tan :

Ellen Grove veteran Rick Gross didn’t expect to see Viet Cong fighters running across a field 20m from the front of his armoured personnel carrier in southern Vietnam on August 18, 1966.

The route was supposed to be clear all the way to the battlefield where Aussie and New Zealand forces were pinned down.

Surprise and alarm shaped his voice as it crackled over the radio to headquarters and surrounding 1 APC Squadron vehicles, a warning that proved a turning point in the famous Battle of Long Tan.

Vietnam veteran Rick Gross.

Mr Gross recounts that life-changing moment with trademark modesty, giving credit for his quick response to his Army training.

“I was screaming through the radio, ‘The enemy, the enemy’, and then I fired the 50 cal(ibre gun),” he said. “Then everything went quiet. The Viet Cong didn’t hear us coming because the rain was pouring in.”

The enemy scattered, allowing the ACPs to deliver much-needed backup, which ultimately led to a victory. About 250 Viet Cong and 24 allies perished in the battle, which was 108 allies to 2000 combatants.

He returned from the war in 1967. He had to contribute his own pay towards his plane ticket home, and was met on the tarmac only by family. Soon after, he left the Army.

“I thought, ‘No more, you’ve had your go at me,’” he said.

To commemorate 100 years since the Anzac landing at Gallipoli, and recognise the sacrifices of those men and women who have served our country since World War I, Quest Community Newspapers will publish one story each day online in the lead-up to Anzac Day.

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Originally published as Vietnam veteran Rick Gross, of Ellen Grove, remembers his time at war