Corporal Becomes The First New Zealander To Be Awarded A Victoria Cross Since World War Two
SYDNEY, July 2 (AP) - (Kyodo)— A New Zealand corporal was awarded Monday with a Victoria Cross, the top honor for bravery, becoming the first New Zealander to have received one since the end of World War II.
Corp. Bill Apiata, who is a member of the New Zealand military’s premier combat unit, received the award for carrying a severely wounded fellow soldier across open ground while coming under intense attack in Afghanistan in 2004.
“I was only doing my job and looking after my mates,” Apiata, who is of Maori heritage, was quoted by New Zealand media as having told a press conference in Wellington.
The Victoria Cross, created in 1856, is the highest award for gallantry under enemy fire that can be awarded to military personnel of Commonwealth countries.
Since WWII, it has only been awarded 14 times — to nine Britons, four Australians and one New Zealander.
Thirteen of them remain alive, but the only other Commonwealth recipient besides Apiata still serving in the military is the British Army’s Lance Corp. Johnson Beharry, who received his award for gallantry in Iraq in 2004.
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
Maori Power!
July 1st, 2007 at 10:37 pma tru NZ hero in the tradition of Charlie Upham.You cannot keep a good Kiwi down
July 1st, 2007 at 11:24 pmnew zealanders are tough as they come!
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:18 amHooah!! Good job mate.
July 2nd, 2007 at 4:28 amNow that is what I consider a real hero.
“I was only doing my job and looking after my mates,” Apiata, who is of Maori heritage, was quoted by New Zealand media as having told a press conference in Wellington.
What else can you ask for. That is the difference between us in the west and our enemies in the religion of peace. We value the lives of our mates above our own while they only value death and bowing on their dirty prayer rugs while they pray to Satan.
This is why we will win in the end. Thanks Pat for sharing this. I love stories about our brave men and women, whatever uniform they may wear, our core values in the west are the same.
-Mike
July 2nd, 2007 at 8:36 amNote the beret and badge….SASR.
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:36 pmWhitefella with a poofteenth of Maori I’d say BH.
What the fuck have the Aussies got to do to win a VC these days!!?
Our blokes have been doing that sort of shit for years.
Nonetheless, a hearty well done to the Kiwi Dig.