Kiwi VC winner 'looking after his mates' (New Zealand soldier awarded the Victoria Cross)

The Australian ^ | 3rd July 2007 | Dan Box

[naturalman1975]

THE attack came under cover of darkness. Without warning, rocket-propelled grenades slammed into two of the New Zealand SAS troop vehicles, the force of the blast throwing Lance Corporal Willy Apiata to the ground and wounding two of his fellow soldiers.

One of the men, members of an SAS patrol in Afghanistan in 2004, was bleeding heavily after shrapnel had severed an artery, and was lapsing in and out of consciousness. Without immediate medical assistance, the soldier, identified only as Corporal D, would have died.

The three men were isolated, pinned down by machinegun and rifle fire from an estimated 20 attackers. It was then that Lance Corporal Apiata took the decision that yesterday led to him becoming his country's first Victoria Cross winner since World War II.

.....

Despite praise for his heroics from New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Chief of the Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae in Wellington yesterday, the now Corporal Apiata insisted he was simply doing his job and "looking after my mates".

Asked if he saw himself as a role model, he said: "I see myself as Willy Apiata - I'm just an ordinary person."

.....

Three other members of Corporal Apiata's SAS regiment also received decorations yesterday for bravery and leadership in the Afghanistan conflict.

Although it is standard practice not to identify SAS members, a decision was made to make Corporal Apiata, 35, an exception due to the significance of his award. Two Australian special forces commandos, who were awarded the Star of Gallantry - one level below the Victoria Cross - and Medal for Gallantry last November for service in Afghanistan, were not named.

[naturalman1975]

The Citation

The Queen has been pleased to approve the following New Zealand Gallantry Awards:

VICTORIA CROSS FOR NEW ZEALAND (V.C.)

Corporal Bill Henry APIATA (M181550)

Lance Corporal (now Corporal) Apiata was, in 2004, part of a New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) Troop on patrol in Afghanistan, which laid up in defensive formation for the night.

At approximately 0315 hours, the Troop was attacked by a group of about twenty enemy fighters, who had approached by stealth using the cover of undulating ground in pitch darkness. Rocket-propelled grenades struck two of the Troop's vehicles, destroying one and immobilising the other.

The opening strike was followed by dense and persistent machine gun and automatic rifle fire from close range.

The attack then continued using further rocket-propelled grenades and machine gun and rifle fire. The initial attack was directed at the vehicle where Lance Corporal Apiata was stationed.

He was blown off the bonnet by the impact of rocket propelled grenades striking the vehicle. He was dazed, but was not physically injured.

The two other vehicle crew members had been wounded by shrapnel; one of them, Corporal D, was in a serious condition.

Illuminated by the burning vehicle, and under sustained and accurate enemy fire directed at and around their position, the three soldiers immediately took what little cover was available. Corporal D was discovered to have sustained life threatening wounds. The other two soldiers immediately began applying basic first aid.

Lance Corporal Apiata assumed command of the situation, as he could see that his superior's condition was deteriorating rapidly.

By this time, however, Lance Corporal Apiata's exposed position, some seventy metres in front of the rest of the Troop, was coming under increasingly intense enemy fire. Corporal D was now suffering serious arterial bleeding and was lapsing in and out of consciousness.

Lance Corporal Apiata concluded that his comrade urgently required medical attention,or he would likely die. Pinned down by the enemy, in the direct line of fire between friend and foe, he also judged that there was almost no chance of such help reaching their position.

As the enemy pressed its attack towards Lance Corporal Apiata's position, and without thought of abandoning his colleague to save himself, he took a decision in the highest order of personal courage under fire. Knowing the risks involved in moving to open ground, Lance Corporal Apiata decided to carry Corporal D singlehandedly to the relative safety of the main Troop position, which afforded better cover and where medical treatment could be given.

He ordered his other colleague, Trooper E, to make his own way back to the rear. In total disregard of his own safety, Lance Corporal Apiata stood up and lifted his comrade bodily. He then carried him across the seventy metres of broken, rocky and fire swept ground, fully exposed in the glare of battle to heavy enemy fire and into the face of returning fire from the main Troop position. That neither he nor his colleague were hit is scarcely possible. Having delivered his wounded companion to relative shelter with the remainder of the patrol, Lance Corporal Apiata re-armed himself and rejoined the fight in counter-attack.

By his actions, he removed the tactical complications of Corporal D's predicament from considerations of rescue.

The Troop could now concentrate entirely on prevailing in the battle itself. After an engagement lasting approximately twenty minutes, the assault was broken up and the numerically superior attackers were routed with significant casualties, with the Troop in pursuit.

Lance Corporal Apiata had thereby contributed materially to the operational success of the engagement. A subsequent medical assessment confirmed that Corporal D would probably have died of blood loss and shock, had it not been for Lance Corporal Apiata's selflessly courageous act in carrying him back to the main Troop lines, to receive the immediate treatment that he needed.

Who Dares Wins

[naturalman1975]

"I see myself as Willy Apiata - I'm just an ordinary person."

You were. But, now and forever, you are extraordinary.

[rwgal]

A man’s man....congratulations......

Meadow Muffin

[kabar]

Well Done Lance Corporal Apiata!!!!

[taxcontrol]

First ....

PRESENT ARMS

Damn good job Soldier
Thank you for your service and your nation’s support

Second ....
ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHH
This brave soldier did not “WIN” the VC! It was not a contest. Title should have read “Kiwi VC recipient ‘looking after his mates’”. Man that drives me nuts when well meaning but uninformed journalists use the term winner.

[beaversmom]

ping

[BluH2o]

This took great courage ... however, I’m more inclined to believe awards of this stature should be awarded for killing the enemy. As in taking out enemy emplacements that are wreaking death and destruction on friendly forces.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> This brave soldier did not “WIN” the VC! It was not a contest. Title should have read “Kiwi VC recipient ‘looking after his mates’”. Man that drives me nuts when well meaning but uninformed journalists use the term winner.

You’re right, of course. Interestingly, the Defense Force Chief described his achievement as “winning” the Victoria Cross in a recent newscast. Find it here: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1212518

[ops33]

Damn, he looks sharp! Reminds me what an old Sergeant told me when I was a very young airman; “There is only one way to wear the uniform.”

[generally]

Corporal Willy Apiata, I salute you. Thank you for your contribution to freedom. New Zealand is fortunate to have men like you.

[Tainan]

Well Done Corporal.

Carry On!

[loungeSerf]

Hearty congratulations to Cpl Apiata!
... however, I’m more inclined to believe awards of this stature should be awarded for killing the enemy.
With all due respect, I disagree. Some of the most awe-inspiring, heroic and selfless acts have been done by troops like corpsmen and medics and are fully deserving of these high honors. I can think of one off the top of my head - Desmond Doss on Okinawa.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> however, I’m more inclined to believe awards of this stature should be awarded for killing the enemy. As in taking out enemy emplacements that are wreaking death and destruction on friendly forces.

I heartily disagree. The VC was founded “For Valor” — which doesn’t always involve killing the enemy.

In its entire history, there have been only three recipients to have been awarded the Victoria Cross twice. Two of these were for non-combattant medical officers in WW-I.

[GreenLanternCorps]

There are now three VC’s that have been awarded in this war. In addition to Corporal Apiata, it has been awarded to:

Corporal Bryan Budd, 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment (Posthumous)
Private Johnson Beharry, 1st Battalion. Princess of Wales Royal Regiment.

[naturalman1975]

Alongside these three fine men, I also think we need to acknowledge the following who have received the George Cross in this war.

Corporal Mark Wright, 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment (Posthumous)
Captain Peter Norton, Royal Logistic Corps
Trooper Christopher Finney, Blues and Royals

The George Cross is considered to be an equivalent award to the Victoria Cross for "acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger," which are not in the direct face of an enemy. It's recipients often do not receive the same recognition as those of the VC - but they deserve it.