The Vietnam War

Focus question 2: How were soldiers treated upon their return in the 1960s-1970s?

When the New Zealand soldiers returned to their country from the Vietnam War in the 1960s-1970s, they were treated as they were expecting to be treated. They believed that they would come home to be honoured, cheered, and saluted by their people. However, they received the complete opposite. The men were told to immediately change out of their uniforms, combat ribbons, and medals, and to act casually as if they hadn't just come from war. This resulted into no recognition for the men. They were very disappointed, knowing that they had just been fighting hard at war, and many of their friends had died. But they were not acknowledged at all. They were ignored. Many
Dishonour the war, yes, but not the young men who gave so much of themselves for what they passionately in at the time: the need to serve for their country. They were never given a home-coming parade, or ever received any national recognition of their military service. It didn't take long for the men to realise that despite not being welcomed back home, the war also had long-term consequences for them. Some men thought that by joining the RNZRSA when they returned home they would be supported, but this was not the case. They felt offended, because some World War One and Two veterans talked about how the younger generation didn't know what it was like to be in a "real war", and that the Vietnam soldiers were known as drug and alcohol users who had served a short period of time overseas. The New Zealand Vietnam veterans took this as an insult and felt even more dishonoured. A lot of people didn't think of the Vietnam War as a "real war", which could have distressed some veterans. Before New Zealand soldiers left for the Vietnam War, they were informed that they would get assistance once they return, such as home and rehabilitation loans (only if they'd serve overseas). However they did not receive any of those upon their return. Instead they were told that it had been discontinued some years back. Although, this was a lie to the veterans just so they wouldn't get these assistances (but they did not find this out after quite some time which wasn't available then). This could have been another disappointment to the soldiers when they returned to New Zealand. The soldiers went to Vietnam to fight for their country, yet when they returned, they received no sign of appreciation. Of the regular force veterans who stayed in the army after Vietnam, some consider that the military provided more support and understanding than a civilian environment