Retired Tauranga soldier receives Australian unit citation for gallantry in Vietnam

Corporal Erik Kristensen pictured with Colonel Tenby Powell, of the New Zealand Army. Photo / Supplied

A Tauranga veteran soldier has been honoured for gallantry in Vietnam.

Corporal Erik Kristensen received the Australian unit citation for gallantry in Vietnam from Colonel Tenby Powell, of the New Zealand Army, at the 6th Hauraki Battalion's 121st birthday in Tauranga, last night.

The 88-year-old was a solder with the Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and was attached to 161 Battery during the period of their deployment to Vietnam.

Powell said the award was a fitting tribute to a Unit with a long history of operational performance.

"It was a huge honour to present Corporal Kristensen with a pin to the Unit Citation awarded to the soldiers of 161 Battery, Royal NZ Artillery, for their gallantry in Vietnam. It was made even more special because we are both Tauranga locals who have served our country on military operations offshore."

The Unit Citation affects 120 members of 161 Battery who participated in the Battles of Coral and Balmoral in Vietnam between 12 May and 6 June 1968, together with other New Zealand Armed Forces personnel directly involved in one or both battles. This is the first time an Australian Unit Citation for gallantry has ever been awarded to a New Zealand military Unit.

The Battles of Coral and Balmoral were among the largest and most protracted fought by the Australian Task Force in the Vietnam War. Powell says

"The 161 Battery Gunners received high praise for their rate of fire and rounds-on-target accuracy provided at critical stages of attacks on the Australian battalion positions.

"On behalf of us all, thank you for your service, Erik. Kia Kaha and Ubique."