The service of thousands of Australian men who undertook national service in the 1950s, 60 and early 70s was commemorated at the Australian War Memorial on Friday.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne joined veterans and their families at a wreath-laying ceremony.
The commemoration also featured a generous and meaningful donation from a Vietnam War veteran.
Allen May donated his cherished medals to the Australian War Memorial.
"They're just sitting there. I said if I died before they go anywhere they are just going to sit there," he told SBS News.
Allen May talks to SBS News. Source: SBS News
Between 1951 and 1959, 18-year-old men were required to register for national service. Over 220,000 underwent six months of compulsory military training in the army, navy or air force.
The men got to choose in which branch they served.
In 1964, a National Service Scheme was reintroduced, with the government granted new powers to send national servicemen overseas.
This was significant, as Australian soldiers were involved in the Vietnam War.
All 20-year old males were required to register with the Department of Labor and National Service, with conscripts selected in a random birthday ballot.
Exemptions were granted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the medically unfit as well as theology students.
Under the scheme, which would run until 1972, almost 64,000 young men were conscripted to serve two-years full-time in the army.
Attendees at the event. Source: SBS News
More than 15,000 of the conscripts served in Vietnam.
Mr May was among them. He was 21 when he was conscripted in 1965.
After arriving in Vietnam he became a forward scout. Historians believe he fired the first shots in what became known as the Battle of Long Tan.
Ms Payne paid tribute to the conscripts and those who volunteered to serve.
"The men that we talk about today served our nation in times of great uncertainty and strategic peril," she said.
In addition to his medals, Mr May has donated letters that he wrote to his mother from the frontline.
Brendan Nelson on Friday. Source: SBS News
Mr May’s medals will go on display permanently at the Australian War Memorial’s Long Tan exhibition.
He hopes they will help Australians understand the contribution he and other National Servicemen made to the country's history.
The Director of the Australian War Memorial, Brendan Nelson, said it was an immense gesture.
"It’s not possible for me to adequately convey to Australians the emotional importance of those medals to that man, and then the generosity of his gift of giving them to us, the Australian people."
