Victoria Cross for NZ SAS soldier

**Timber020** · 2nd July 2007, 12:17

A New Zealand soldier is being awarded the Victoria Cross for his service in Afghanistan.

Corporal Bill Apiata is being given New Zealand's highest military honour for his actions with the SAS in Afghanistan in 2004.

Apiata carried a wounded SAS colleague 70 metres under heavy enemy fire. The government says Corporal Apiata showed little regard for his own life when he saved his colleague who would certainly have died from loss of blood otherwise.

Apiata is the first New Zealander to receive New Zealand's highest military decoration since the World War II.

Three other SAS members are also being honoured but their identities are not being revealed because of the secrecy surrounding the SAS. Details of the soldiers' actions have also not been released.

They are receiving the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration and the Gallantry medal.

And hes from Mangakino! I think I went to school with some of his family

**Colapop** · 2nd July 2007, 12:24

Farkin shit hot!!

**Pumba** · 2nd July 2007, 12:29

Awsome stuff!!!!!

Me tinks there might be more to the story than what is being publisised though, classified documents and all.

**Pussy** · 2nd July 2007, 12:44

Maximum respect, Corporal Apiata

**Big Dave** · 2nd July 2007, 12:44

Respec.

I knew a VC.
Co-pilot's uncle.
I sat with him in his study for hours late in his life.
Inspirational, yet completely normal, everyday bloke.

**u4ea** · 2nd July 2007, 12:47

yep he has done a very couragous thing in a very hostile situation..

**JimO** · 2nd July 2007, 13:00

good on him there should be a million dollar cheque to go with it

**ManDownUnder** · 2nd July 2007, 13:02

... respect...

**Sniper** · 2nd July 2007, 13:03

Good on him....

**KoroJ** · 2nd July 2007, 13:08

Is he a biker??

**SPman** · 2nd July 2007, 13:38

Regardless of the political, or any other reasons for the rights and wrongs of being there in the first place.........well done mate. I like his comment when told of his award - "I was only doing my job, boss."
Notice how many VC's have been awarded for the act of saving peoples lives under severe conditions? - including 2 of the 3 double VC's.