Singer Little Pattie headed to Vietnam aged just 17 to entertain Australian troops, but wasn't prepared for a mid-show evacuation during the Battle of Long Tan.
Sixty years on from Australia's most costly engagement of the Vietnam War, painful memories remain.
"The battle broke out late in the afternoon," Little Pattie, whose real name is Patricia Amphlett, told AAP.
"There'd been skirmishes beforehand, we were in the middle of a show and we were quickly evacuated safely by jeep and then helicopters.
"It all worked out - but not for 18 young men, that was so sad."
Of 523 Australians killed in Vietnam, 18 died at Long Tan with another 24 wounded.
Ms Amphlett was back performing at the RSL NSW Vietnam Veterans' Day commemorative service on Tuesday.
In 1966, the teen barely knew where Vietnam was when she ventured off, becoming the youngest Australian performer entertaining the troops.
"I'd been singing for a few years already, and my mum had a call from a government person inviting me to go to Vietnam," the '60s pop idol said.
"The horrible, graphic pictures that ended up being around were later on, so it seemed okay to go, but of course it was a war, a real war."
In the Battle of Long Tan, around 100 Australian soldiers successfully held off thousands of North Vietnamese.
"They were in the mud, it was pouring down with rain, and the spirit of mateship and bravery really came to the fore," RSL NSW president Vince Williams said.
"I have no hesitation in saying if the battle were to be repeated today, we would see exactly the same spirit."
Colin Flatters was an artillery soldier during the battle.
"It's not just the bravery - it's the camaraderie and co-operation," the 85-year-old said.
Yet when veterans returned home, they were shunned by an Australian population opposed to the war.
"We weren't welcome home," Mr Flatters said.
"The welcome home parade for Vietnam veterans was in 1987, 14 or 15 years after the event."
The 60-year anniversary comes after the Veterans Affairs department placed an annual $5000 cap on allied health coverage.
It's disappointing for Mr Flatters, who served for 34 years, and serves as the Maroubra RSL vice president.
"We need to maintain the support that was put in place following the Vietnam War," he said.
"They should be showing a lot more empathy because I'm 85, they're not going to have to look after me for much longer, so why are they penny pinching now?"
