A New Zealand soldier has become the first person since World War II to be awarded the country's highest honour for bravery, after a daring rescue of a wounded comrade while serving in Afghanistan in 2004. Corporal Bill Apiata of the New Zealand Special Air Service (SAS) was given the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. The medal is based on Britain's Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for British soldiers.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said Apiata, 35, was awarded the medal for carrying a severely wounded soldier across open ground while coming under heavy fire. The wounded man would have died from blood loss and shock had Apiata not done what he did. Apiata's patrol came under attack from machine gun and grenade fire when it had taken cover for the night, setting two vehicles on fire, his citation notice said.
During the fight, Apiata found himself isolated with two of his comrades, one of whom was badly wounded from shrapnel. Apiata carried his wounded comrade 70 metres to where the rest of his patrol had taken cover, despite being clearly visible by the light of the burning vehicles. Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, said Apiata was a humble man who when praised for his bravery had said: "I was only doing my job, boss.
" There are 22 New Zealand soldiers who have been awarded the British Victoria Cross, the last of which was in 1946 for service in World War II. New Zealand separated its system of honours and awards from Britain's in 1999, creating the new award. Like New Zealand, fellow Commonwealth countries Australia and Canada have established their own version of the British Victoria Cross.
Three other awards for bravery were handed out to SAS soldiers for service in Afghanistan. They have not been named for security reasons. The identities of SAS members are generally kept confidential but Apiata's name has been released because of the special nature of his award.
In another rare moment for an SAS officer, he will hold a press conference this afternoon. Defence Minister Phil Goff said witnesses of Apiata's actions had initiated the process of him winning the rare award. Clark said the Queen had approved it.
He did this despite the extreme danger to himself," Clark said. "As opposing forces pressed their attack towards the two men, Lance Corporal Apiata, as he was then, carried his comrade over 70 metres of broken, rocky and fire swept ground, fully exposed in the glare of battle to heavy opposing fire, and into the face of returning fire from the main New Zealand troop position." Apiata had displayed "stunning courage and selflessness", Clark said.
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