Trooper honoured in Vietnam Remembrance Day (story of a 'found' MIA)

The Australian ^ | 18th August 2009 | Mark Dodd

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ANNIE Cowdroy and her family never expected to get the chance to properly farewell her brother, SAS Trooper David Fisher, who went missing in action during the Vietnam War in 1969.

Trooper Fisher died during a “hot extraction” falling from a rope attached to a rescue helicopter called to evacuate his patrol, which was encircled by a superior force of North Vietnamese soldiers.

The incident occurred in Cam My district in southern Phuoc Tuy province, where the Australian task force was based.

For almost 30 years, that seemed destined to be the final chapter in Trooper Fisher’s story.

But last year his remains were finally found and returned home, and today Vietnam Remembrance Day was marked in Canberra with an emotional ceremony and the unveiling of a memorial plaque to Trooper Fisher.

Dozens of SAS Vietnam veterans attended the ceremony at the Vietnam War Memorial, easily identified by their distinctive sandy beret and the winged dagger badge of the Special Air Service Regiment.

“It's for Vietnam Veterans Day but it’s also to honour the return of my brother from Vietnam,” Ms Cowdroy told reporters. “This is a real milestone for us because it will give us an inner peace which we haven't experienced for a long time.

“We're just forever grateful.

“My feelings today are those of mixed emotions. We've got inner peace but we've also got emotions which bring tears but, most of all it is a wonderful feeling,” Ms Cowdroy said.

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“Now Vietnam veterans are seen in as favourable a light, as World War Two or Korean War veterans, and that's a wonderful thing to see, because it’s just so important to the veterans themselves.

Australia's Federation Guard on parade during the ceremony.

Veterans at the memorial service.

The Chief of Army Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, AO, DSC, CSM lays a wreath at the 42nd Anniversary of the battle of Long Tan.

Members of the Australian Federation guard stand to attention at to days memorial service.

Australia's Federation Guard on parade during the ceremony.