INFONEWSCASESSITES

 

 
DAY, Brian Raymond. aka Sir Brian Day, aka Dr. Brian Day, aka Doris Day, aka Dolly Day. 
215849. Born 1942.

For many years now Veterans have seen articles published in many books about Brian Day or have been present when he relates his feats of derring do in Vietnam.   To those who served in the SAS and the AATTV the stories told could not be corroborated from real Military history of the time.    Some of the events claimed seem to be very far fetched and many inquiries over the years have been made to CPMH and now to ANZMI to find the truth.   Hundreds of documents and books have been researched in an effort to find the truth and publish it so that the myths can be put to bed.  If you served with Sir Dr Brian Raymond Day at any time during your service we would like to hear from you if you have any doubt in your mind as to what you have been told.  If we dont already have the answers we will research further to discover the truth and you will be advised of the results.  Your questions and the answers will be placed on this page as it may also clear up any stories others may have also heard.   Your details will not be published, instead your questions and the answers will appear as per below.  Only your corps will appear in the "who from" section.  We at ANZMI thank you in advance for your assistance.  The Military history for Vietnam has been written and cannot be changed.  The entries below are not necessarily in date order as some of the answers have to be researched.
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From: Infantry [SAS]
Sent: Wednesday, 15 February 2006 2:26 PM
To: information@anzmi.net
Subject: Brian DAY
About two years ago Brian Day was bought up in conversation and no one could remember ever meeting him in SAS.  A number of us had met him in various postings after leaving the Regt and at some social events since but he was never forthcoming about his service within the Regt.

He was always accepted because of the SAS Moths that he wore in uniform and the Badge Replica on Suits, etc.  I have since been informed that you may have information that would indicate that he is not entitled to either the Wings or the Beret, any information that you could provide in relation to this matter would be appreciated.  Incidentally he has since appeared at an SAS Reunion, at which I was present, and again was widely accepted, but once more no one could quite remember when he served within SAS.

ANZMI reply.
Thanks for your interest.
According to Brian Day's records up to 1972.
Brian Day posted to 1 SAS,  24 March 1966, posted out mid June 1966.
Attended the (SAS) 2/66 Cadre Course but did not complete it.  It was recommended that he attend the first phase of the 3/66 Cadre Course.
He spent time in Hollywood Hospital, 26 to 30 April, with convalescent leave of 8 days afterwards, and also worked in the Orderly Room while at 1SAS.
13 May 1966. Qualified Basic Para 90/66 course at Air Spt Unit.Posted out to 1RAR mid June 1966. Marched in to 1RAR Ingleburn 30 June 1966.
We hold no records indicating that Brian Day passed a SAS Cadre Course or is qualified to wear the SAS Para Wings.  

ANZMI
Additional information. The SAS Parachute Wings shoulder patch and replica badge can be plainly seen in the photo of Day and Wright on the cases page, they're on the left hand side of the medal display below and above the US Combat Infantry Badge. The SAS beret is at the top right on the table.
SAS parachute wings can also be plainly seen in the photo of Day with AATTV beret, on his right shoulder.
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From:  Anonymous
Sent: Thursday, 16 February 2006
To: information@anzmi.net
Subject: Brian Raymond DAY
Sirs,
I noticed that, on the photo of DAY and WRIGHT, found at
http://www.anzmi.net/day/awards.jpg , there appears to be a U S Army Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) on the table.
However...he makes no claims to being in the U S Army, and I am unaware of the CIB being available to foreign nationals.  You may view the criteria for the CIB, here: 
http://www.americal.org/awards/cib.htm
I hope you find this info to be useful.
 
ANZMI reply.
Thanks for your interest and information.
There is no evidence to suggest Brian Day was a member of, attached to, or posted to, the US Army during a time of conflict.
Like you, we are unaware of the CIB being available to non-US Army personnel.
Brian Day is entitled to wear the Australian Infantry Combat Badge for his AATTV service during his second tour.
His Vietnam service on his first tour with HQAFV and 1ARU, 1ATF, did not qualify him for the award.
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From:  Infantry 
Sent: Wednesday, 15 February 2006 10:21 PM
To: information@anzmi.net
Subject: Brian Day, Cambodia
 
I have read and heard of Dr Brian Day's story of losing a battalion or half battalion of FANK at Battambang  [sic], Cambodia.
You appear to be privy to his records so is there anything there about his service with AATTV in Cambodia during the Vietnam war?  I'd especially like to know about this Battalion of FANK loss.
I look forward to your reply. 
 
ANZMI reply.
Thanks for your question.
FANK = Forces Armees Nationales Khmeres, the Cambodian National Army.
There is nothing in Brian Day's records to suggest he served with AATTV, or any other unit within the Australian Army, in Cambodia at any time during the war.
During his tour with AATTV, 71-72, he did assist in training Cambodian soldiers at the Phuoc Tuy Training Centre.
This Battalion of FANK at Batdambang story has been researched, but not in great depth, and no information has been found to support it as fact, Brian Day in attendance or not.
We would appreciate any further information on this battle.
ANZMI.
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-----Original Message-----
From: 
 Infantry 
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 2:53 PM
To: 
 information@anzmi.net 

Subject: RE: Brian Day

Dear ANZMI.

Some years ago I was sent a copy of a newspaper article about Brian Day, Sydney Herald Friday April 20th 1984.

I would like to reproduce some of the article which I will send you if you don't already have a copy. Brian Day's words are in bold font.

"Brian Day hasn't stopped thinking about Vietnam since he left in 1972. He remembers one particularly bloody afternoon in early 1972 when the battalion of Cambodian troops he was training came under heavy fire in the Long Hai mountains in southern Vietnam"

"We lost 48 men that afternoon, The Cambodians had run out of ammunition and were trying to get helicopter support. The only support we got was a rocket fired by an American gunship and that landed in the middle of us, killing about 14 people. In the end the battle just died out. The Vietcong did their damage and just left" end quotes.

I cannot imagine Cambodian troops calling in US helicopter gunship support, surely this would have been done by the English speaking training staff.

I have looked for information on this contact but can't find any. What I did discover is that, at that time,  AATTV personnel were absolutely prohibited from engaging with the enemy so I have to believe that this contact would have been well documented and investigated. I can't find one mention of this anywhere except in Day's article.

There are documents that make reference to ARVN contacts while with US Special Forces training staff around the same time, but in a different part of the Province, I have read excerpts from them.

My questions. (1) Did this action in the Long Hai Hills happen as described by Brian Day? (2) Would an AATTV member take a Battalion of Cambodian, or Vietnamese soldiers for that matter, into the hills on a training exercise?

Day didn't actually say that he was with the Cambodian troops at the time of the contact but a quick read of his story would suggest he was.

Please reply.

ps. You must be made aware that Brian Day threatens legal action against anyone who questions his war service and his apparently phoney tales.

ANZMI reply

Thanks for the warning, we're quite aware of Brian Day's means of defence when questioned on his war service and decorations.

Thanks also for your questions.

(1) We have a copy of this newspaper article and have done a little research into the story. We have found nothing to suggest that this contact happened. As you suggest, this contact would have been well documented and investigated. The closest we came to information on something like this was a MATT report on operations conducted by Vietnamese Forces in the Hills and wider Province areas while accompanied by advisors. March-April 1971.

(2) We can't answer this question right now, sorry. We could hazard a guess but we shouldn't in this situation.

Perhaps a former AATTV member could enlighten us on the size of indigenous and Cambodian units that were trained in the area in Brian Day's time, especially around early 1972.

FURTHER INFORMATION.  Source,  Bruce Davies' book "The Men Who Persevered"

The total number of Cambodians KIA during 1972 was 26, and that was at all of the UITG training battalion locations.  There were no recorded contacts between the enemy and Cambodian units with Australian trainers in 1972.


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From:  AATTV
Sent: Thursday, 16 February 2006 7:08 PM
To: information@anzmi.net
Subject: BR Day
 
ANZMI, I have read with some interest the report on Day. I have had some earlier dealings with your site on the expose of XXXX.  Brian Day claims to have served with US Special Forces in Vietnam this may be the case in a training role, however, he was NEVER in combat whilst serving with Special Forces.  
The last AATTV adviser who served in a US Special Forces combat unit, 2 Mobile Strike Force, 5 th Special Forces Group, out of Pleiku, was 25415 Capt Peter John Shilston MC. When Shilston left the Mike Force at Pleiku on 26 Aug 1970 the AATTV  commitment to the US Special Forces ceased completely.     
Brian Day's record of Vietnam service HQ AFV Saigon 28 Jan 67 to 9 Jan 68.  AATTV 28 April 71 to 19 April 72.  It is obvious that he could never have served with US Special Special Forces on secondment from AATTV in a combat role. 
I am not conversant with the story of Day losing half a battalion or so of a FANK Battalion at BATDAMBANG [CAMBODIA]. I do know having commanded a Mobile Strike Company with 2 Mobile Strike Battalion 5th SFG Pleiku on more than one occasion on the South Vietnamese side of the Cambodian border that no AATTV advisor was permitted to enter Laos or Cambodia under any circumstance whatsoever regardless of any operational commitment. If this had occurred and was reported it may have caused a severe diplomatic incident. Regardless of this how would Sgt Temporary Warrant Officer Brian Day be in command of a FANK Battalion?  Come on Day put your hand back in your pocket. 
Regards 
AATTV 
 
ANZMI reply.
Our thanks for this information.
This former Officer is known to us and we'll publish his personal details if he gives us the OK.
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From:  Infantry 
Sent: Thursday, 16 February 2006 6:23 PM
To: information@anzmi.net
Subject: DAY and his Bronze Star
We know DAY was with AATTV in a sedentary administrative, but not combat role.  His Bronze Star should be investigated and proof of his award and citation should be sought.  If this "combat warrior" can claim to be "elite"  and pretend to be entitled to the SAS Sandy Beret and SAS Para Wings, which he is not, then his Bronze Star needs the same scrutiny.
Perhaps the AATTV Association can shed more light on his 'decoration" 
 
ANZMI reply.
Thanks for your input.
The US Bronze Star was awarded for meritorious service and also with a "V" device for valour. If Brian Day's medal ribbon does not bear the device then we must assume it was for carrying out his duties, whatever they were, in an orderly and Militarily correct fashion.
We can find nothing to validate this award. "Honours and Awards" were asked to confirm this but used the Privacy Act to deny any information. Strangely, "Honours and Awards" were able to deny two of Barry Wrights supposed foreign awards.
Should this be a valid award, Brian Day would be able to produce the citation from the US Defense Department.
The US Bronze Star is listed on his Certificate of Service so validating documentation must have been sighted by CARO. Perhaps they might be able shed some light on this for you.

ANZMI.
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From:  Infantry
 Sent: Thursday, 16 February 2006 8:39 PM
To: information@anzmi.net
Subject: BRIAN DAY 
  

I have read the comments on the updated aspects of Days military service, and by some of the posts to this time, it appears that there is an abundance of evidence coming forward to debunk Day's claims and entitlements. 
 
If Day has perpetuated his own 'combat myths' and is wearing decorations and regalia for which he is not entitled, he should be totally exposed for what he is.
 
He also seeks glory with the Frontiersmen, who have bestowed their own forms of Post Nominals and Decorations...
 
Lastly and sadly, his claimed 'academic" entitlements such as Dr, if gained from 'non registered universities' further perpetuate this mans belief in his own persona.  I would imagine Melbourne University or even the courts of law would not give any credibility or entertain or recognise these 'academic qualifications'.
 
I also read that Day has threatened defamation of anyone who publicly questions his service etc........." let the marbles fall where they may....it will be Day's onus to PROVE he is entitled, not those who question his claims"...
 
Keep up the good work and having the fortitude to question this mans claims. 
 
ANZMI reply.
Thanks for your interest.
With reference to the section of your email that we have highlighted in blue font. We would like you to check on your 'non registered universities' statement.
We have a copy of a Brian Day CV that was promulgated by an ESO in NSW as fact. It was passed around the Veteran Community with some additions that denied the existence of two institutions of learning where Brian Day claims to have been honoured with Doctorates. Perhaps you could search the Internet to find out if they do exist and would be the kind of institutions that award Doctorates of Human Sciences or Doctorates of Letters to people like Brian Day. They are the London Academy of Science and the London Institute of Applied Science.
Brian Day claims another doctorate from the Kensington University of California, this institution's details, though skimpy, are also available on the Internet.
Ref your sentence about Brian Day "threatening defamation", he has already challenged one Veteran to take the claims that appear in our Cases page story to the Federal Police but unfortunately Day chose the wrong person. The man has no connection to ANZMI.
Thanks for your final comments.
ANZMI.
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From:  Infantry
 Sent: Friday, 17 February 2006 8:30 AM
To: information@anzmi.net
Subject: BRIAN DAY 
Hello.  Can you help me with any information about Brian Day's degrees? I have a photo of his business card, maybe an old one that has his name Brian R, Day and the letters KCSJ, PhD and JP after it. I know what they stand for but I didn't think Dr. Day had a PhD. I thought he was called Dr. for other degrees.
Does he have a PhD?
Thanks.
 
ANZMI reply.
Thanks for your interest.
Unfortunately Brian Day's doctorates claims, real or imagined, are not really any of our business. We are only concerned with claims relating to his military service.
You could contact the AATTV Association and ask for your question to be passed to Brian Day or contact all the Universities in the Sydney area and ask them. Should you find that he doesn't have a PhD or any other doctorates, you could try contacting the Federal Police.
Sorry we can't be of more assistance to you.
ANZMI.
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From:  Infantry
 Sent: Saturday, 18 February 2006 9:45 AM
To: information@anzmi.net
Subject: BRIAN DAY 

I met Brian Day during the Macquarie University conference, "The impact of the Vietnam war on Australian society"1987 (?) He had learned that I had been in Cambodia late 1974 early 75 as a backpacker. Brian told me he had lost a Battalion at Battambang in the earlie seventies;"they had been decimated by the Khmer Rouge".I asked him what was he doing in Cambodia at that time and he told me he was with the training team," but it was all hush hush".

Brian's name came up in conversation several years later regarding his new title as sir Brian Day.I was told by another Veteran that the title was sought and obtained by Brian through the Catholic church as some type of title within their institution only!

ANZMI reply.

Thanks for this. The Cambodia story again. We can assure you that no AATTV members entered Cambodia to train troops or conduct operations with them. Perhaps an AATTV historian could tell us if Team members carried out any "hush hush" type operations we don't know about.
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----- Original Message -----
From: Infantry
To: information@anzmi.net
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 8:19 PM
Subject: re Day
 
Anonymous.
From the book "Gallant and Distinguished Service Vietnam 1962-1973 by I.L.Barnes ISBN 0 999859 091
I have checked the "American Gallantry Awards To the Australian Army" for Vietnam service.  
Under the heading "Bronze Star for Valour" - Total Awarded  69. Under the heading "Bronze Star for Meritorious Service" - Total awarded 83. There is no mention of any person named Day or a similar name. 
 
ANZMI reply.
Thanks for this.
The Barnes book is no longer recognised by the Directorate of Honours and Awards as a source of information.
Ross Sutton's later book does note the US Bronze Star (for meritorious service) along with the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm as a personal award, the same as a unit citation, and other valid foreign awards. This book is likewise not recognised as a source of information.
Bruce Davies' book, "The Men Who Persevered" notes Brian Day as having been awarded both of these medals. In answer to our queries on these, Bruce Davies informed us that the information "comes from the officially recognised files of the Dept of Defence, Directorate of Honours and Awards"
Brian Day's Certificate of Service dated March 2001 shows these and other foreign awards as being officially recognised.
To allay any further doubts about Brian Day's authorised foreign awards, here is the list as shown in order on his Certificate of Service. 
Decorations, Medals and Commendations (Foreign)
Vietnamese Campaign Medal
Unit Citation of the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm
United States of America Bronze Star
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm (personal award)
Republic of Vietnam Training Service Medal Second Class
Kingdom of Cambodia National Defence Medal with Bronze Star
(March 2001)
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From:  AATTV 
Sent: Sunday, 19 February 2006 12:38 PM
To: information@anzmi.net
Subject: BR Day

ANZMI,  The AATTV Association have no concern for the academic qualifications that Brian Day claims to have achieved, be it 'Sir Brian' or 'Doctor Brian'. Our association recognises his service as an advisor Sgt T/WO2 Corps Infantry with AATTV 1971/72. This service qualifies him together with all others who were on the posted strength of the unit, life membership of the AATTV Association. As either a financial or non financial member  providing that he has not resigned his life membership BR Day is governed by the constitution of  The AATTV Association. In general terms an article within the constitution states, 'Should a general member by his behaviour demean or bring the good standing of The AATTV Association into ill repute, that he show good cause why he should not be struck off the AATTV nominal Life Membership Roll for the life of the AATTV Association. The following is in the public arena either verbally quoted by Brian Day or in published photograph or print.: He had served with The Special Air Service [SAS Australian Army] with an entitlement to wear the SAS Beret together with the SAS Para Wings. He had served with AATTV with secondment to US Special Forces in 1967. He lost half of his FANK Cambodian Battalion at Batdambang [Cambodia] during his 1971/72 tour of duty with AATTV. Day's Record Of Service states , He was never on the posted strength of the SAS. During his tour of duty Vietnam 67 he was a Corporal Batman Driver with Australian Force Vietnam in Saigon , an instructor Corporal Australian Reinforcement Unit Task Force Nui Dat. During this tour he was not on the posted strength of AATTV and never attached to US Special Forces. In 1971/72 he served with AATTV in a variety of training roles some of these under the command of US Special Forces. He was never in command of a FANK Battalion and was never in Cambodia at any time therefore was not at Batdambang as claimed. Please be advised that within the AATTV Association the alleged improper behaviour of BR Day is being scrutinized under the appropriate articles within the constitution of the AATTV Association.  Regards  

 ANZMI reply. 

Thanks for this information.
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From: Infantry/Military Police/Civilian Police Veteran
Sent: Saturday, 18 February 2006 11:01 PM
To: information@anzmi.net
Subject: Days Academic Quals
 
After taking appropriate investigations and consultations with UNSW, I can pass on general information that the academic quals of DR DAY aren't worth the money he paid for them.  None of the institutes that 'bestowed' these awards are accepted or recognised as statutory approved universities.  The comments made to me are interalia "none of these institutions have a campus; most have an office as a campus; none of the courses are structured where 'attendance' is required for semesters, and the list of failures of goes on.  Essentially, these degrees according to the individual I spoke to 'are bullshit" .......and anyone who professes to have a Doctorate etc, and more so uses the post nominals or titles, is delusional" .
 
To attain a Doctorate, one first must attain and possess a Degree, and the same process goes for a Masters and Doctorate.....
 
Dream on Dr Day.......you are a 'posing pretender' ........of military and academic status..........shame shame shame   
 
ANZMI reply.
Thanks for your input on Dr. Day's doctorates. While we are more concerned with his war service claims, your message will undoubtedly be of interest to many people.
Sir, while we publish every message received and appreciate your input, we must ask that you confine any further comms to questions or information on Brian Day's claims relating to his two tours in Vietnam.
The Veteran Community will judge him according to the information you have already supplied, which they can check, so we should leave it at that.
Thanks again.
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From: Bruce
Sent: Sunday, 19 February 2006 5:10 PM
To: information@anzmi.net
Subject: Reference Brian Day

 
From Bruce Davies.
I have just been advised on the flurry of emails that have been sent on Brian Day to your site.  As the co-author and principal researcher for The Men who Persevered, which is a summarised history on the AATTV, let me assure your readers that the information in the Nominal Roll section of that book has been thoroughly researched.  The honours and awards listed are from the files of the Department of Defence approved list.  I do not have the authority, nor do I wish to publish personal information on the citations to those awards on the internet.  Brian Day has communicated with me over several years and I have advised him that the information on him contained in several publications is wrong.  If he has been misquoted, which he claimed, it was my advice that he take the matter up with the publishers and have it corrected.  The Men who Persevered provided a reference to a study conducted on FANK contacts in 1972, it is a comprehensive document and there were no major contacts between FANK battalions with Australian instructors and the enemy during 1972.  No Australians with AATTV went into Cambodia in 1972.  This information is evident from the signals and other correspondence available in the Australian War Memorial archives.  Those who wish to communicate with me on the information in the book may do so through this email address.
Bruce Davies
Co-author The Men who Persevered
1 RAR 65-66, and
AATTV 67-68, 69-70 
 
ANZMI reply.
While Bruce did provide his email address, we will not publish it here. Should anyone wish to send a private email to Bruce, please send a request for his address to  information@anzmi.net
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From: Infantry
Sent:
Sunday, February 19, 2006 4:50 PM
To: information@anzmi.net
Subject:
Brian Day medals
 
ANZMI. I see on your letters page that Day's Bronze Star was questioned and it may be genuine or may not be from what I read. Confusing.
How about his Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm? I see in one photo that he wears what appears to be the unit citation for this and in another photo I see what I'm sure is the medal, a personal award. I would believe that some AATTV members received the medal and have been authorised to wear it so there must have been paperwork from the RVN government like a written citation and maybe a covering letter to his unit commander or HQ AFV Saigon.
In your file on Day, do you have the citation written in Vietnamese or the English translation? If you do, does it look genuine?
I have copies of medals citations and their accompanying certificates from the RVN written in Vietnamese, what else, that I translated to English for a friend and could do the same for Day's if you have it.
Any chance you could reply showing a copy of whatever you have?
Do you know why he's a life member of the VVAA NSW branch? For his services to veterans, that's why. What services? His well circulated CV is a load of crap, he's done nothing for no one except himself and his cronies.
The veteran grapevine says things got too "hot" for him in Toowoomba and he fled to Victoria. Did you hear this one?
It's about time someone got into this fraud, well done, thanks.
 
ANZMI reply.
Thanks for your email.
We imagine that with all the current interest in Brian Day's Vietnam service that there will be someone out there looking further into his medal entitlements.
Yes, he does have an individual award of the VN Cross of Gallantry with Palm. (see list in a previous reply) If anyone has a copy of the citation in English or Vietnamese, we would appreciate seeing it.

FURTHER ANZMI INFORMATION.
Ref your mention of Brian Day having "fled to Victoria" You were correct, he is living there now. We don't know anything about him "fleeing Toowoomba" There could be many reasons for the move but we'll certainly keep on checking your information.
Toowoomba RSL doesn't answer the phone but we'll persist and see what they have to say.


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From: AATTV
Sent: Thursday, 16 February 2006 11:20 PM
To: information@anzmi.net
Subject: Day Case

I noted in a contact from Infantry on the messages about Day which states “We know DAY was with AATTV in a sedentary administrative, but not combat role.”

I do not know if you have details of Day’s service with AATTV but the recent book called, The Men Who Persevered written by Bruce Davies and Gary McKay ISBN 1 74114  8316 has his service with AATTV as follows:

AATTV 

23 Apr 71 to 19 Apr 72 

Apr 71, unallotted Phuoc Tuy.

May 71, MATT Phuoc Tuy 

14-22 Jun 71, NOT, Pleiku.

23 Jun-Nov 71, NOTT2, Phu Cat, Bin Dinh. 

Dec 71 AATTV Training Group, Vung Tau

Jan-Apr 72,Phuoc Tuy Training Battalion

I believe members of AATTV were posted as Administrative Assistants and this title did not really cater for just what a lot of Team members did whilst so posted.  Maybe there are some AATTV veterans out there that served with Day in the locations shown that can shed some light on what his actual duties were with AATTV or maybe you have that information already. 

ANZMI reply.

Our apologies for this late reply. Thanks for your input.

There appears to be absolutely no doubt that the information on Brian Day's AATTV postings shown in the Bruce Davies/Gary McKay book is correct.

Brian Day's records show Asst Admin, Asst Instr - MATTs and NOTTs.

We have some first and second-hand information from personnel who served with Brian Day and during the same periods of time with AATTV but unfortunately is unconfirmed.

Perhaps someone will see your comment above and advise us accordingly.

If you are particularly interested in a Brian Day story to do with his postings to any of the above units, please get back to us. We think the Cambodia and Long Hais FANK stories have been addressed sufficiently.

There appears to be absolutely no doubt that the information on Brian Day's AATTV postings shown in the Bruce Davies book is correct. 
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From: AATTV 
Sent: Tuesday, 21 February 2006 7:08 AM
To: information@anzmi.net
Subject: Day service

Just what heroic deeds did Day do to earn such a prestigious award as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. His service in Pleiku was strictly administrative and his service at Phu Cat was on an administrative basis.  His service in Vung Tau would hardly apply.  You have already noted that the service with Phuoc Tuy Training Battalion did not involve Australians in any action.  That leaves April 71 unallotted Phuoc Tuy, and May 71 MATT Phuoc Tuy.  Any heroic deeds in these locations would have been recorded.  Maybe Brian Day can explain to the veteran community just how he was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

ANZMI reply.

Thanks for your question.

According to Bruce Davies' book, page 184, your statement on Brian Day's service in Pleiku and at Phu Cat is accurate. We understand that his service was of a purely administrative nature, ie, not an instructor but in an administrative support role. 

You have already ruled out service in Phuoc Tuy Province as an area where an action would deserve such an award, and we totally agree. There are only Pleiku and Phu cat left where he may have carried out notable deeds but then again we all agree that Brian Day was involved in a logistics role in these two locations.

The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry was devised to be an equivalent of the French Croix de Guerre and would not have been handed out liberally.  There would have been a citation typed out by a clerk noting the decree number and date which created this recommendation of the award for the individual.

The decision would then briefly describe exactly why the the award was being recommended and if accepted by the Vietnamese military region Commanding General, he would sign it and affix his seal.

Distribution of this, along with a covering letter, would have been to:

HQ AFV, "for forwarding"

Joint General Staff/Adjutant Generals Division "for reporting"

Free World Military Assistance Committee, "for information" and a copy for the files.

HQ AFV would forward a copy to CARO to be entered in the man's records file along with an English translation. We have copies of Vietnamese citations for awards made to Australians and these came from readily available research facilities, eg the War Museum.

We feel that if Bruce Davies searched these same facilities came up a Brian Day Cross of Gallantry citation, he would have mentioned in his book. Rather, he pointed out that in the only two locations where Brian Day may have done something out of the ordinary to gain this medal, Pleiku and Phu Cat, Day's duties were of a relatively mundane nature.

We hold copies of two of Brian Day's records, a CARO (now SCMA) Record of Service and an AAB83 page where information on the Cross of Gallantry with Palm entry doesn't quite add up. The person who supplied us with these alleges that the AAB83 entry for the Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Unit Citation for all AATTV personnel, has been altered to reflect a personal award. We saw this AAB83 entry a long time ago, thought it to be a clerical error and dismissed is as such. We are taking advice on this right now.

More later.
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From: AATTV  
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 9:51 PM
To: 'information@anzmi.net'
Subject: Re: SAS & C of G  

I note that the AAB 83 records of Day held by you show erroneous entries in relation to his SAS qualifications and his Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm (personal award).  Evidence presented also appears to show that Day was hardly, if ever, in a position to earn such a prestigious decoration. I now have to ask this question, just how did this award get to be published in a number of books?  Is this because Day produced documentation to make the claim?  If so, why does Day not produce this documentation to ANZMI for scrutiny and authentication or at least why can not the authors of the books produce such research documentation that they based their publications on? Indeed, there are still questions to be asked but from what I have viewed so far in the messages column, it appears, that Day has a lot of explaining to do e.g. claimed SAS qualifications, personal awards such as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm etc.

ANZMI reply.

Thanks for your questions.

Yes, every scrap of evidence points to Brian Day being in an administrative role at Pleiku and Phu Cat and not being involved in the AATTV training aspects of the postings and, as you say, could not have been in a position to engage the enemy in any action that would result in this award.

He was an administrative assistant in the true sense of the words, organising mail, rations, accommodation etc. Not an easy job under the circumstances but.............!

Your question, "-just how did this award get to be published in a number of books?  Is this because Day produced documentation to make the claim?  

Well, we shouldn't surmise but it would appear that Brian Day told the authors he is entitled to the medal and produced something to support this claim  If he produced copies of his AAB83 records to ANZMI as proof of his entitlement, we would dismiss them as worthless. 

Entries in an AAB83 are not considered by us to be true records. They could have been got at and altered by too many people especially by those who had the foresight and opportunity to alter them before they left the Army.   We have found too many inconsistencies in Brian Day's AAB83 to believe anything he produces as proof of his claims.

I think we mentioned before that he must have documents raised by the government of the former RVN as evidence of this award.   We'd like to see them and have them scrutinised by by people who assist us in these things from time to time.

So Dr. Day, you must have these documents that you used to impress others, now let us have them to peruse please.

There are Veterans out there who are entitled to know the truth about you
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FROM ANZMI

We think we have adequately shown that Brian Day was not an SAS Trooper at any time and was/is not entitled to wear the SAS beret and badge, or SAS Para Wings.

We have also shown that his AAB83 records have been altered to show a completed SAS Cadre Course. This information will be widely distributed.

As far as his personal award of the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm is concerned, we strongly doubt that this is genuine and challenge Brian Day to prove us wrong.

Should Dr. Day send us the documents he used as confirmation of this personal award, we will have them scrutinised and at the slightest hint of forgery they will be forwarded to the Federal Police, relevant ex-service organi