CORPORAL BILL ( 'WILLIE' ) APIATA HAS GIFTED HIS VICTORIA CROSS TO THE NEW ZEALAND SAS TRUST |
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24 April 2008 |
Corporal Apiata, the first New Zealander to be awarded the Victoria Cross since the Second World War, has now decided to gift his VC and campaign medals to the New Zealand Special Air Service Trust based in Papakura, Auckland. Bill Apiata said "It was important the VC be protected for future generations and by gifting it to the NZSAS Trust, I know my wishes will always be respected." The NZSAS Chairman said the decision to gift the Cross was extraordinary and the trust was pleased to accept responsibility for ensuring Corporal Apiata's wishes would always be adhered to. The VC will remain available for Corporal Apiata to wear and will always be available for his family to wear in the future. It is hoped the Victoria Cross will go on public display at special events or ceremonies, but such decisions would be made by the trust. The NZSAS Trust was established in 2004 to focus on the welfare, resettlement, education and fundraising for those who have served with the SAS, and their families. |
IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED BY THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT THAT A 'VICTORIA CROSS FOR NEW ZEALAND' HAS BEEN AWARDED TO CORPORAL BILL APIATA, 1ST NEW ZEALAND SPECIAL AIR SERVICE GROUP. |
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02 July 2007 |
Medal entitlement of Corporal Bill Apiata.
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His Excellency the Governor-General, The Honourable Anand Satyanand, PCNZM, QSO, has announced that The Queen has been pleased to confer the following 'Victoria Cross for New Zealand' on Corporal Bill Henry Apiata, 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Group.
[ Government House, Wellington, 2 July 2007 ] Afghanistan, 2004, M181550 Corporal Bill Henry Apiata, 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Group.
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 a defensive formation for the night. At approximately 03:15 hours, the Troop was attacked by a group of about twenty enemy fighters, who had approached by stealth using the cover of the 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.
Bill Apiata was invested with his 'Victoria Cross for New Zealand' by Governor General Anand Satyanand at a ceremony held at Government House, Wellington, on Thursday, 26th July 2007.
The following New Zealand gallantry awards for action in Afghanistan were made at the same time: |
Iain Stewart, 24 April 2008