3 RAR served two tours in South Vietnam, the first from December 1967 with the battalion stationed in Phuoc Tuy Province as part of the 1st Australian Task Force. The battalion took part in several operations and was involved in mine clearing, counter mortar and rocket tasks and reconnaissance in force operations. Between December 1967 and March 1968 Whisky Company from the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment was attached to 3 RAR as an additional rifle company for various phases of battalion operations. As the ready reaction force at the 1ATF base 'A' Company 3 RAR was responsible for clearing and securing the nearby provincial capital of Ba Ria (Phuoc Le) during the Tet Offensive of February 1968. The battalion was then committed to Operation Coburg in February and March. During 26–28 May 1968, 3 RAR, while stationed at FSB Balmoral in a battalion defensive position, withstood two determined assaults by regimental sized units of the North Vietnamese Army during the Battle of Coral–Balmoral. The battalion also played a role in Operation Toan Thang I in April–May 1968. During its first tour of Vietnam the battalion lost 24 killed and 93 wounded.