Its not often that special ops personnel — especially the cagey blokes of the SAS — come out of the shadows, but New Zealand just honored one of its finest with the elite Victoria Cross, the first for a Kiwi since World War II.
The New Zealand Herald reports that Cpl. Willy Apiata pulled a wounded trooper out of a hail of enemy fire in Afghanistan, carrying him 70 yards to his patrols fall-back position without a scratch.
The Victoria Cross is the Commonwealths highest award for gallantry in battle. Apiata also wears the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation.
So for all you international Defense Tech readers, a tip of the hat for one of best in the world…
The NZ Herald write-up follows:
(Photo: New Zealand Defence Force)
In 2004 Lance Corporal Apiata was part of an NZ SAS patrol in Afghanistan.
The troops had put up a defensive formation for the night when they were attacked by a group of around 20 enemy fighters. Grenades destroyed one of the troops’ vehicles and immobilised another.
This was then followed by fire from machine guns and further grenade attacks.
The initial attack was aimed at the vehicle where Lance Corporal Apiata was stationed, and he was blown off the bonnet by the impact of the grenade. He was not physically injured but another soldier — named only as Corporal D — was in a serious condition.
The soldiers were under constant fire from the enemy and, as they were exposed by the fire from the vehicle, they immediately tried to take cover.
Corporal D’s injuries were life threatening, and the other two soldiers began to apply first aid.
Apiata took control of the situation, as D was rapidly deteriorating. However, he was in a very exposed position and the enemy fire was becoming increasingly intense.
D was suffering from arterial bleeding and so Apiata came to the conclusion that he needed urgent medical attention or he would die.
So without considering abandoning his fellow soldier to save himself Apiata decided to carry D to the safer position where the rest of their troops were stationed and where D could get proper medical attention. Apiata then carried D seventy meters through exposed ground and enemy fire — and miraculously neither man was hit.
Apiata then resumed the fight.
Medical evaluation revealed that D would have probably died from blood loss had it not been for Apiata’s bravery in getting him the proper medical attention. D is now back on active duty.
(Thanks to DT reader Martin Bremner for the gouge)
– Christian
Thanks for posting that. He joins one of my relatives (Samuel Frickleton) as one of only a couple dozen Kiwis to ever win the Victoria Cross.
That’s great!
That’s actually the first VC to be awarded in many years.
Before this decades wars (Iraq/Afgan.) the last was awarded in the Falklands (1982)
Foreign Boy, it’s actually the second Victoria Cross to be awarded in the last two years. Do a little research bro, it’ll take all of ten seconds of googling.
GOOD SHOW! It is great honor for him and his Great Country.
DDP,
I did some reasearch.. that’s why I said ‘Before This decade’s war.
I understand reading it now it is a little confusing. But I did look it up.. how do you think I found out it was the falklands!
Good for him!,
Although I would like to clear up and correct some of the things the other guys have said on here.
The amount of VC’s given out since the WW2 varies slightly, i.e. the UK government will announce that a VC has been given to a Special Forces soldier but the VC does not then end up on the official role as the soldier is never publicly named.
Officially 14 VC’s have been awarded since WW2, they are;
4 x Korean War (UK)
1 x Indo-Malayan War 1965 (UK)
4 x Vietnam (Australians)
2 x Falklands War 1982 (UK)
1 x Iraq 2004 (UK)
1 x Afghanistan 2004 (UK)
1 x Afghanistan 2007 (NZ)
However it is widely know that at least 2 more VC’s have been awarded over the same period;
1 x Iraq 1992 (UK to SBS Trooper)
1 x Afghansitan 2001 (UK to SAS Sergeant)
There are possibly more as the UK has been very shy about admitting to awards given to Special Forces personnel. There are rumors that VC’s have been awarded in many of the conflicts of the last 50 years including Suez, Aden and Sierra Leone.
Outstanding job. Your bravery is above approach and you have earned the respect of warriors worldwide. The best to you mate. Salute!
Who were the New Zealanders (Kiwis) to have been awarded the VC in WWII?
A rescue of a fellow “Comrade in Arms” under extreme combat conditions:
“No greater love than to lay down one’s life for another”. This Gospel passage (not an exact quote)
says it all.
I am a retired US Naval Officer(Lt Commander
\USN\Retired)with 21 years active duty. I was enlisted 8 years (attained HM2 or E-5 under 4 years before my 2nd enlistment for 6 years to attend duty under instruction: Fl. State University, commissioned officer for 13 years (attained rank of Lt. Commander).
I am a Cold War, Vietnam Era and Gulf War Veteran.
I honour greatly men like this fine Cpl. of the NZ Army. I do so because I am fully aware of what insanity combat can be. To do such an act under such conditions is deserving of such an award. To be that commanding, decisive and concerned for the welfare of his mates in such a situation reflects this man as having core values and character that are more than the result of his dedication, professionalisn and obvious great leadership. Combined with training that was obviously superb, this man’s greatness in many of the areas most men only strive for, or hope to attain resulted in saving lives, the most important and valuable reality we posess.
I pray this man has a life that gives him the opportunity to be fully human in a world that has little heart for the individual. His actions reflect the kind of training and values that are what I personally looked for in my mentors when “coming up”.
To this fine Cpl.: I salute you and wish you God’s speed, a “fair wind and following sea” in all that you do.
Lt. Commander Wayne Phelps, US Navy Retired (1/71–
8/91.
Bugger the detail…the act’s the thing! I salute you Corporal Apiata!
“Bugger the detail…the act’s the thing! I salute you Corporal Apiata!“
I couldn’t agree more.
A Victoria Cross is awarded for
”…pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice.…in the presence of the enemy.“
To carry a wounded comrade to safety under enemy fire — after getting blown to the ground by a grenade himself, mark you — is as close to a perfect description of such an act as I can imagine.
“Officially 14 VC’s have been awarded since WW2“
Which is few enough — but to add additional perspective: the Corporal is, in his credit, only the second man to survive an action awarded the decoration in the last forty years.
Gallantry and valor in combat and otherwise is expected from all military personnel. Recognizing this valor and gallantry is a tribute to the heroes and the unsung heroes. I saved a returned Vietnam Veteran of the Australian Commonwealth Forces in the outback. Tasmanian. West Australian Dept of Mines , Water Drilling rigs. This is before joining the Marines. At Cherry Point , a prima donna officer once got me alone and told me i was inferior. That i was pusillanimous. That i was inferior and he was my superior. I wondered why he was even in the Marine Corps and if so why i wasn’t the officer and he was my subordinate. He was an educated idiot. The Corps got rid of him career wise after a Med cruise. Guess he bullied one too many already disciplined squared away Marines. i had Boy Scout training and training from the Australian Army Cadets. Many of us exercise our duty quietly. Many are called. Few are chosen. To witness any breach of security during my time with DOD was very upsetting. To even witness a preventable 911 was upsetting. How low can you go ? Hopefully we are at a wake up and a shake up to defend our country. Kudos to Cpl Apiata. May his bloodline inherit freedom and military service. God bless The Queen , HRH Queen Elizabeth II , The Commonwealth , her allies and every man jack service member. Cheers. Love our Australian New Zealand Forces. Servio. one of my last saves was a U.S. Army Reserve Colonel in Washington D.C. early 90’s. i couldn’t live with myself not to defend him. i and many Americans have a deep empathy for our military people. Please return home safely. Semper Fi
Cpl. Apiata, As am ex-Vietnam Vet, I honor your courage and devotion to your comarades. Your actions under fire typify the historical fighting abilities and commitment of the New Zealand armed
forces as well as those of your fellow comrades,
the Australian and British armed forces. I pray
for the safety of all of you and as an American,
you have my unwavering gratitude for your service and your friendship to our country.
May the Good Lord be with all of you.
Read the headline. First KIWI since World War Two. Kiwi is the nickname for New Zealanders. They are not British nor Australian. Note that in any of the PC BS research referred to there is no mention of a New Zealander being awarded the Victoria Cross. Go back to the headline, read it slowly, ask an adult for assistance with the big words and concepts. Do not throw your insipid thoughts of what you believe the headline should have read. Be proud the actions of this brave man from a small country. (161 Btry RNZA 1965–1966 was assigned to 173d Airborne Brigade) UBIQUE!
Small country — big men…
Hey Bro, “well done” is all i can say, putting all the history aside you did what had to be done.….…you get to see so called cpl D at the bar every pay day thursday bro and i bet its his shout. To much bro represent!! SALUTE!
From a brother on the ground.
In answer to groovylady who wnated to know who the Kiwi WW2 VCs were here is a wikipedia link to them
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:New_Zealand_World_War_II_Victoria_Cross_recipients
One of the Kiwis, Capt Charles Upham is the only fighting soldier to receive the VC twice. Two British medics in WW1 also received the VC twice.