That's how Buninyong veteran Bill Akell described the findings of a federal review into decorations awarded, and not awarded, after the most famous Vietnam War conflict involving Australian troops, the Battle of Long Tan.

In the battle, 108 Australian soldiers of the Delta Company 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, of which Mr Akell was a member, defeated a North Vietnamese force of between 1500 and 2500 troops.

After years of lobbying by veterans, the review was ordered by the previous Federal Government into why citations made by the company's commander, the then Major Harry Smith, were downgraded or ignored by the Australian

Army.

The review was carried out by a panel of retired senior army officers and its findings were released last week.

According to Vietnam War historian Paul Ham, Mr Akell was one of several soldiers nominated by Smith to receive a military medal.

Instead, he was given a mention in dispatches.

At the time, Australian military awards were granted on a quota system, which meant only a certain number of decorations were given out each year to Australian units that fought overseas.

While he has not yet seen the full report, Mr Akell said the findings contained some positives, including that the awards granted to Smith and platoon commanders David Sabben and Geoff Kendall should be upgraded.

But he said the fact the review had not recommended the upgrading of the other awards meant "a major military injustice" was yet to be redressed.

"That's the major disappointment of the whole deal."

He said he was also disappointed that an offer of the former South Vietnamese Government to present Delta Company with a unit citation had not been looked into by the review.

Mr Akell said he had received an email from Mr Smith saying he would be making a formal response to the findings shortly.

"One thing Harry has always said is he is not in there to see his own award upgraded. He is in there to make sure the men under his command are satisfactorily recognised."

"This isn't the end of it."

The Federal Government was last week considering the report and would announce a decision on the matter soon.