Kiwi SAS trooper awarded NZ Victoria Cross

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 in Afghanistan in 2004. Corporal Bill Apiata of the New Zealand Special Air Service (SAS) was given the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. Prime Minister Helen Clark said Cpl Apiata, 35, was awarded the medal for carrying a severely wounded soldier across open ground while coming under heavy fire.

Cpl 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, Cpl Apiata found himself isolated with two of his comrades, one of whom was badly wounded from shrapnel.

Cpl Apiata carried his wounded comrade 70m to where the rest of his patrol had taken cover, despite being clearly visible by the light of the burning vehicles.

Well done Corporal.