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THE federal government has done a backflip and will pick up the cost of foreign gallantry awards for veterans who fought in the Battle of Long Tan.

About 100 Vietnam War veterans were recognised by the now defunct Saigon government in 1967 with the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation With Palm.

Veteran Affairs Minister Alan Griffin said the government would pay the $12 cost of the US-made ribbon, which the veterans could now wear at remembrance parades.

Veterans were angered after learning they may have to pay for the ribbons themselves, after winning a 41-year battle to have the awards recognised in Australia.

"It was not about the money, it was about the protocol of the past," Mr Griffin told the Nine Network today.

The problem was that there was no longer a South Vietnamese government to deal with the issue, Mr Griffin said.

Asked whether the government would pay all the costs, Mr Griffin said: "We will, we will."

Former Major and D Company commander Harry Smith, who fought a lengthy battle to allow the men to receive their citation for the battle, ordered the awards himself from the US.

The Delta Company veterans have each had to fork out $12 to buy their allied citations, awarded for their heroic efforts in the Battle of Long Tan in 1966.

The bravery decorations were originally awarded by the now-defunct South Vietnamese Government in 1967 but were not accepted by the then Australian government, according to Long Tan veterans.

The Rudd Government last month approved the citations to be worn following an independent review.

Mr Smith said he ordered the medals in time for Long Tan Day last month after the Rudd Government's announcement.

"I personally paid for 17 for the next of kin of the soldiers we lost because I didn't want to put that on to the next of kin," he said.

Mr Smith said he was happy to take responsibility for ordering the citations because he feared red tape would delay the delivery.

"My understanding from the other soldiers is that they're very happy to have them approved," he said. "Rather than wait two years for the supply system to provide it, they were quite happy to pay for it."

But some veterans are insulted at having to buy their citations and are disappointed the Government did not offer to pay.

Peter Jamieson, of Sydney, said Delta-Company veterans were furious they had to pay for the awards.

"It's taken 42 years to get these citations and now we have to pay for them - the next of kin (of dead veterans) have to pay for it as well," Mr Jamieson said.

"I think they (Government) should pay for it."

But Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffin said it was a foreign award and the Government wasn't responsible for any payment, only granting approval.

"It's an issue of principal and that was the correct process," he said.

President of the 6-RAR Association Graham Smith said the service awards - which have been posted to veterans and families through the Long Tan Association - were a "hollow victory" for veterans.

"It would've only cost the Government $1000 and they could've done it," he said.

Another annoyed veteran said: "Those blokes in Canberra spend that (money) on morning tea everyday."

National RSL president Bill Crews said it was a "mean-spirited approach".

The citations were approved in August following an independent review by a panel of retired senior army officers which recommended the Star of Gallantry medal be awarded to Major Harry Smith and the Medal of Gallantry for two of his commanders. These medals were free.

Major Smith bought the rectangular citations for the 100 veterans from a US supplier and sent them to veterans and their next of kin across Australia.

The Battle of Long Tan on August 18, 1966 claimed the lives of 18 Australians - with another 21 wounded - when 100 Diggers from the 6th Battalion's Delta Company confronted a vastly bigger enemy force of 1500 troops moving to attack the Australian Task Force base.


http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24271772-953,00.html