Max Speedy’s new book reveals little known Vietnam War stories
Former South Gippsland Shire Councillor Max Speedy never expected to be living in Australia, let alone Mirboo North, or spending a lifetime in the service of his adopted country.
FORMER South Gippsland Shire Councillor Max Speedy never expected to be in Australia, let alone Mirboo North, after being born in Levin in New Zealand in 1944 and happily attending school in Hamilton, located on the banks of the great Waikato River.
But in 1950, the family upped stumps and moved to Australia, but to this day, Max can’t say why they left that gloriously beautiful part of the world.
A completely different life unfolded from there, answering an advert in the Courier Mail for Navy ‘Observers’ when he finished school, not knowing what else to do, and spending a working life in the armed services, part of which he has now chronicled in a new book, ‘Just Another Day in the Delta’.
“I'm writing to let you know that I have a book that is published by Big Sky and has been sponsored by the Royal Australian Navy,” said Max in an email to the Sentinel-Times’ this week.
“It will be launched by the Chief of Navy on November 19 at his History Conference in the Maritime Museum in Sydney.
“The book is a history about Australian Navy and US Army aviators in the most intense of the Vietnam War's operational areas and is titled appropriately ‘Just Another Day in the Delta’.
“I will be having book signings locally and would be happy to be interviewed about this part of Australian history,” he said.
In a warmly worded recommendation of the book, former ABC, Sydney Morning Herald and News Corp journalist Mike Carlton, himself a Navy aficionado, describes it as a fitting tribute the Australian Naval Aircrew who served in Vietnam, calling it "The helicopter book on Vietnam".
“It reveals a little-known chapter of the Vietnam War, the closest operational collaboration between Australian aviators and the US Army,” said Carlton.
Typical of an ex-serviceman, though, Max undersells his own impressive service career and his role, however accidental it was to begin with, in the dangerous and vitally important role helicopters played in Vietnam.
Having joined the Navy out of school, Max trained at HMAS Cerberus and saw his first action of sorts, during a rescue mission after the February 10, 1964 crash between HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Voyager off Jervis Bay with the loss of 82 lives.
Max was to have embarked on the Melbourne the very next day.
One thing led to another, and after serving for while in flight crew, Max decided he’d rather be in charge of his own destiny, and undertook pilot’s training in 1967, ultimately helicopter training.
In 1968, he got a tap on the shoulder to say the pilot that was schedule to go to Vietnam next had been killed in an accident and he was going in his place.
Thereafter followed his first tour as a member of the 2nd Contingent, RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RANHFV) in 1968-69 fully integrated rank for rank into the US Army's 135th Assault Helicopter Company.
Max was 2-i-C of the Navy group and also 1st Platoon Leader of the 135th AHC Lift Helicopters (including 10 aircraft, 60 American pilots and 60 crewmen) running daily lifts of US and ARVN troops into landing zones.
Later on he was the 135th AHC Ops Officer and in that role, was also the Air Mission Commander directing the 10 lift aircraft, four gunships ferrying the troops into the battle.
Serving in the rank of Lieutenant in Vietnam he ultimately retired as a Commander.
Of importance is that his group was awarded the Australian Defence Force's Unit Citation for Gallantry, of which there have been only six in the ADF, and only this particular citation for a Navy group since WW II.
It's roughly equivalent to the highest of gallantry awards that an individual might earn.
Individually, he was awarded several medals in Vietnam: Distinguished Service Cross, two South Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry (Bronze Star and Silver Star), 12 US Air Medals, and a South Vietnam Unit Citation as well.
His book should make interesting reading.
It’s not the first he’s written but he regards it as by far his most important.
Max Speedy served as a South Gippsland Shire Councillor from 1997 to 2000, having moved to Mirboo North with his wife Judy, but another stint in the Navy was to follow from 2005 to 2010.
He has three children and a number of grandchildren.
You’ll find a link to the book HERE.
Those interested in Max Speedy’s service record might like to tune into an interview he did on YouTube HERE.
And as for doing an interview with him about his book? It will be our pleasure. Thanks for your service Max and those that served with you.
A precis by Mike Carlton
The Mekong Delta was one of the most dangerous and fiercely contested theatres of the Vietnam War. Into this volatile arena came a small group of Australian Navy aviators, embedded with the US Army’s 135th Assault Helicopter Company and operating as an experimental unit known as the EMUs.
Flying daily into heavily defended landing zones, these Australian sailors led American helicopter crews through relentless fire, carried troops into battle, rescued the wounded and brought damaged aircraft home when they could. They were shot up and shot down. Some did not return.
Drawing on firsthand accounts, Just Another Day in the Delta brings to life the intensity, danger and camaraderie of helicopter warfare, told by the men who were there. It reveals a little-known chapter of the Vietnam War, the closest operational collaboration between Australian aviators and the US Army.
More than 50 years later, Max Speedy reflects on the missions, the men, the friendships and the cost of service.
‘Just Another Day in the Delta’ is a tribute to the Australian Naval Aircrew who flew another nation’s helicopters in another nation’s war. Over four bloody years, they forged an extraordinary alliance — and wrote one of the least-known stories — in Australia’s military history.
A timely reminder as the world is facing yet increasing political turmoil. The drums are beating and enemies are being created where none may exist.
