Noack was the victim of friendly fire, shot by members of another Australian unit during Operation Hardihood after being mistaken for a Vietcong.
[1] He received basic training at Puckapunyal and was then posted as a machine-gunner to the newly-formed 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR) at Holsworthy Barracks, New South Wales.
In March 1966 the battalion emplaned at Aero Paddock at Holsworthy and moved to Gospers for its final exercise, which included advances to contact, night movement and defensive operations.
[6]: 244–6 Noack, serving in B Company, 5RAR was sent forward with Privates Kevin Borger and John O’Callaghan to establish a listening post.
[1] However, on 25 May Major General Kenneth Mackay, commander, Australian Force Vietnam reported that Noack "had been killed by enemy gunfire.
Antiwar protesters wrote: ERROL WAYNE NOACK aged 21 HIS WAS NOT TO REASON WHY" in red paint on Adelaide's Cross of Sacrifice.
"[8] In 1989 The Errol Noack House was opened in Mitchell Park, South Australia to provide emergency accommodation for veterans and their families.