OpenTube

SAS in The Vietnam War | Australian Vietnam Veteran Interview! Charles Stewart

War Whispers

138,550 views

RIP Charles Stewart - Interview conducted in 2004
Discover the extraordinary story of Charles Stewart, a decorated Australian SAS soldier who served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. Born on 8 December 1946 in Lilydale, Victoria, Charles served with distinction in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. From the jungles of New Guinea to the harrowing missions of Vietnam, his story exemplifies the courage and resilience of Australia’s elite SAS soldiers.

Charles Stewart is a life member of the Australian Special Air Service Association (ASASA) and has been honoured with multiple awards, including the Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp Vietnam and the Vietnam Medal. Learn about his remarkable service and his lasting legacy in this captivating account.

Support the Australian War Memorial
If you’d like to honour veterans like Charles Stewart, consider donating to the Australian War Memorial:
https://www.awm.gov.au/donate

Resources and Full Interview
Explore Charles Stewart’s full interview and more resources here:
https://australiansatwarfilmarchive.u...

Explore Related Content

Australian Special Air Service Association: https://asasa.org.au
Learn more about Australian involvement in Vietnam: https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/atwar...
Join the Conversation
Leave a comment and let us know what you think about Charles Stewart's inspiring story. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more incredible accounts from Australia’s military history.

20 Comments

@rojoloco3911 1 year ago (edited)

I was a U.S.Marine from 1990-96. I believe in 1992?🤔 we went to Perth Australia. Every port we went to we were NOT to wear our uniforms. In Perth we were ordered to wear our uniforms because it was a “friendly” port.
The locals were so good to us. They had a huge welcoming party at a function center near the pier. They were very patriotic and it was explained that the population was thankful for the Marines actions against the Japanese in WW2. I was very humbled by that. I have NEVER heard anything but great things about the Aussies and the SAS in particular. We were there for Anzac’s day?? I think it’s what they called it. Anyway we were all bummed out when we had to get back on ship and sail away. It was a great port and a great time. Australians are great people and this guy seems like one of the best.

@simonmatthews9413 1 year ago

You should lead with the fact that this man has passed and that this interview was from 2004

@cj54car 7 months ago

A True Warrior. Quietly proud he was a true Aussie.

@mickygee1044 5 months ago

I wouldn’t wish PTSD on my worst enemy. Rip warrior.

@arthurjacobs4974 1 year ago

A GREAT INTERVIEW WITH CHARLES STEWART , AUSTRALIA WAS ALWAYS A GREAT NATION 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

@bengrassham9717 4 months ago

This is one of the best interviews I have watched. His factual explanations and manner give a really good impression on the tye of mindset required.

@shadowpuppet4664 1 month ago

You guys kicked arse. Americans were in awe/shocked of your stealth. Aussie proud!

@nixonsmateruby1 10 months ago

From the son of an English soldier I wish you all the best mate.

@PeterMalloy-i5y 1 year ago

Our NewZealand SAS who served in Malaya,Borneo ,Vietnam were champion men who gave all and more.Warriors such as Ben Ngapo,Bill Lillicrap,Albie kiwi ,Warwick McCallion,Fred Barclay ,Bill Moffatt ,Bro Terry ,Dave Heywood were part of our NewZealand SAS in Vietnam

@frankmanitta4870 1 year ago

He should Have been a Prime minister for Australia. A incredibly switched on digger. This guy makes me proud to be a Australian

@ianking-jv4hg 1 year ago

Thank you Charles Stewart,
You've helped me come closer to my father who was a Team member.

Bob (24-95) R.I.P.

@RalphBrooker-gn9iv 1 year ago (edited)

My CO, 1986-7, 1st Bn Royal Hampshire Regiment, was 22 SAS, he’d served in Vietnam with Aussie SAS. I served 1978-90. His tenure led to our being assigned, when back in Tidworth, UK, to 16 Air Assault Bde in a support or QRF role (to be clear we weren’t Paras). By that time he had introduced ‘milling’ (compulsory CO’s fitness) and static line (though not RAF Para School) jumps into our regular training, then part of Berlin Infantry Bde. As a JNCO I had a lot of close dealings with the Boss (Lt. Col. A. Freemantle). Remarkable man. I owed him everything. Difficult to overstate that. The Regiment was never in finer hands. He retired as a Brig. Why are we so poor at retention of excellence?

@sentinel4608 8 months ago

I'm an ex 1980's RAN serviceman. Its currently January 2026 in my timeline. I don't know why, but I absolutely love these interviews. Maybe its timing with my current life but I'm really intrigued with the detail being expressed by these veterans. The day to day decision making in a theatre of war and the reflection of a much simpler life is bringing back memories and a deep respect for my peers in the military who I knew nothing about at the time. Thank you for doing these interviews.

@danozdirect3749 7 months ago

What a legendary story

@jakhaughton1800 1 year ago (edited)

I love the considered answers to questions about operations. As an Englishman I see the same with SAS members from Hereford. They don’t give away intricate details. Calm relaxed. Charles is a man you want on your side in a pub scrap!

@pegasusdroneserviceaustral758 1 year ago

Only a certified hard bastard can start a sentence with ''And the next helicopter crash i was in...'' completely deadpan like he was talking about what he had for lunch last Monday. ANZACS and the Gurkhas consistently punched well above their weight and seem to be universally respected by allies and feared by the enemy. Thanks for sharing your story Charles.

@jasoncaisley5071 1 year ago

RIP legend another true humble Aussie hero no bullshit tells how it was love it

@yeahnah7220 1 year ago (edited)

9pm - I'll just start this, pause, have my shower and come back.

12am - I best have that shower!

Fantastic, engaging and informative. It takes someone pretty special to be only 20 and wondering the jungles of Vietnam. Courage, drive, ticker and maturity in spades.

For being young uni students(I'm guessing) the interviewers did well.

At peace and enjoying a nice scotch with your mother I bet. RIP Charles.