Willie Apiata | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Apiata in 2020 | |
| Nickname(s) | Willie |
| Born | 28 June 1972 Mangakino, New Zealand |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Service | New Zealand Army |
| Years of service | 1989–2012 |
| Rank | Warrant Officer Class One |
| Service number | M181550[1] |
| Unit | 6th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment New Zealand Special Air Service |
| Battles / wars | East Timor War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Victoria Cross for New Zealand |
Bill Henry "Willie" Apiata, VC (born 28 June 1972) is an honorary warrant officer class one in the New Zealand Army Reserve Forces. As a corporal in the New Zealand Special Air Service, he became the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. He received the award on 2 July 2007 for bravery under fire during the War in Afghanistan in 2004, in which he carried a gravely wounded comrade across a battlefield, under fire, to safety.
Apiata is the only recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand, which replaced the Imperial Victoria Cross in 1999.[2][3] There are no living New Zealand recipients of the Victoria Cross, which was last awarded to a New Zealander for actions in the Second World War.[4] Apiata is the second Māori recipient of the VC serving with New Zealand forces, after Second Lieutenant Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu (also of Te Whanau a Apanui). Apiata has donated all of his medals, including his VC, to New Zealand.[5] In 2008 he succeeded Sir Edmund Hillary as the "most trusted New Zealander".[6]
- ^ "Special Honours List 2 July 2007 (Gallantry Awards)". DPMC. 2 July 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ "New Zealand Honours". Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Archived from the original on 7 December 2006. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Press kit related to July 2007 gallantry awards (NZ)" (PDF). NZ Government through news agency. 2 July 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2007.
- ^ Glyn Harper and Colin Richardson. In the face of the enemy: the complete history of the Victoria Cross and New Zealand, 2006, HarperCollins Publishers (NZ), ISBN 978-1-86950-522-6.
- ^ Apiata has gifted his VC to NZ SAS Trust, victoriacross.org.uk, 24 April 2008.
- ^ "VC winner most trusted Kiwi – magazine". New Zealand Press Association. Stuff.co.nz. 21 June 2008. Archived from the original on 7 November 2010. Retrieved 12 June 2010.