KEY POINTS:
Hundreds of messages of support have poured in for New Zealand SAS corporal Bill Apiata, known as Willy, who has been awarded the Victoria Cross - the first since World War 2.
Corporal Apiata carried an injured colleague through enemy fire in Afghanistan.
Here is a selection of your messages to him:
Wal (Indonesia)
Sir (I will address you as sir), as an ex SAS soldier I am so proud to convey my best wishes and congratulations to a job well done. A truly brave man.
Pete (Arnold, Maryland, USA)
From one Special Operations soldier to another, my heartfelt congratulations on your award of the VC. Continued success in your military career.
Bradders (Aberdeenshire, Scotland)
Would like to express my thanks to such a humble but professional soldier Corporal Apiata. Why haven't I seen this in our papers in the UK? Maybe because its full of reports of our sporting heroes. That word is the most misused in our English language. Best wishes to such men as the corporal and his fellow comrades. Only ex-servicemen can know that the brotherhood in the military is a true family, well done mate.
Nambour (Queensland)
From a retired soldier to a worthy recipient, good onya mate and that goes for the rest of the patrol.
Tina Apiata (Christchurch)
Hi Willy, it's Tina Apiata here, I'm not sure if we are related but I'd like to say congratulations to you on a awesome award. You must feel very proud.
My father is Charlie Apiata he lives in Invercargill and I'm his only child. I've never really had much of a relationship with him and I know nothing about his whanau but I have been trying to do some research about them as I have four children and I'd love to meet my dad's family. I'm only just starting to establish a relationship with dad over the last two years as I didn't know he was my dad till I was 11-years-old and I'm now 32, so can imagine what that's been like. Anyway I'd love to hear from you especially if we are related. Take care and once again congratulations, you seem like a beautiful guy. Look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards.
Sunshine Coast, Australia
I had the opportunity to read the story behind Cpl. Apiata's bravery, after the story was emailed to me from my sub-branch Secretary today. I feel humbled to be able to convey my heartiest congratulations to Corporal Apiata via this page. He is an excellent role model for his peers, and it is a credit to the people who trained him, and helped mould him into the man he has become. Well done, and a pat on the back to you, mate.
Colleen Downes, Nambour RSL Sub-branch, Sunshine Coast, Australia
Proud Army Brat
Good on you Cpl. Apiata. As a young adult coming from a long line of military service in my family it does me proud to see true bravery, dedication and comradeship rewarded justly. You are a true inspiration to us all. Ma nga hua Tu Tangata - By Our Actions We Are Known.
Muzza (Albany, Western Australia)
Congratulations to a serving soldier who is an inspiration to us all. Willy is a magnificent example of comradeship in the forces is. Good onya son.
Muzza, Ex 6RAR 1966
Michelle (Darwin)
Congrats on doing your job and doing it with passion and commitment to the cause and your fellow soldiers. Thank you for your help in keeping us all safe in these troubled times. I salute you!
Nuks & the Hauraki Boys serving in the Solomon Islands
Kia ora Willy. On behalf of the Hauraki Battalion & Bravo Boys on operations in the Solomon Islands, a hearty congratulations mud guts and a well deserved award to a top soldier. We are proud of your achievements and I am sure your whanau, community, unit and the wider circle of friends that you have made both in the military & civilian worlds, all join us in celebrating such an auspicious occasion. I know that you are probably feeling overwhelmed by all the unwanted attention, so we will catch up when we return to NZ & have another couple of beers bro, until then, from the Solomons.
Nuks & da boys
RNZAF Pltoff (Canada)
Congratulations Willy, as a fellow defence force member it is great to know that I serve with people like yourself! The VC is something we all look too but very few receive so a huge congratulations and keep up the good work.
B Coy Baggies (Timor)
Awesome stuff corp! It's fellas like you that us baggies always look up to and can be proud of. Mean Maori mean!
Pirimai, nine-years-old (Pukerua Bay)
You are a very brave man. My Mum told me about you and we saw you on TV. I would be scared. I think you deserve to get the special medal.
Yvette Kasuga
Just want to congratulate Willy Apiata on his medal of honour and bravery. Kiaora Willy - you are an amazing role model for all of us Maori. I live in Japan and it makes me so proud to be Maori upon hearing of your amazing dedication to Aotearoa! Thank you very much for showing all Maori and the world of your amazing efforts! Kia kaha. Arohanui. Yvette and whanau.
Club K.1.W.1 (Perth)
Kia ora Willy, from all of us here at Club K.1.W.1. - congratulations.
Pera, Jan and all the Pahaoa whanau in Perth, Veronica, Willie T and Claudette, Elaine Perth.
Mike Gray (Scotland)
Well done.
Liz Williams
Fantastic. A great achievement to a person who did himself and New Zealand very proud! Such courage and heroism from a brave and gallant fearless person who did earn and deserve to be recognised. Incredible and amazing accomplishment.
Missy (North Shore)
Dear Willy, you coined the phrase "duty before self". The whole nation salutes you Willy. This has got to be the proudest day for all kiwis.
Thank you maata kia manuia!
Vietnam vet (Australia)
Congratulation to Corp Apiata for his valour, and keeping up the great ANZAC tradition.
All the best. Grunt the friendly vet.
LK (BOP)
Congratulations on your achievement of the Victoria Cross! I am sure that you and your colleagues in the armed forces perform brave acts on a daily basis as part of your job. Not all are recognised. Hope you are proud to receive this honour, if not only for your accomplishments, then for all the brave soldiers out there.
Paddy Batt 3 (UK)
I served with Willy and anyone who has done so will know Willy always had it in him. He's a great guy and a great soldier. I hope that Willy can continue to do what he loves and have the respect from the media to allow him to do so. I'm proud to have worked with him and now all New Zealanders can be proud to have a man like Willy working for them! Great job Mudguts - until next time! Kia Kaha from your Irish/Kiwi mate Paddy!
Vietnam Vet 1968-69 1971-72
Well done mate. Just make sure to go to sleep with your eyes open. Have a beer for me.
Wellington Trawling Co
While you were fishing with Don, you proved the person you are and we are very proud to have known you. You may well remember Tony, Bill, Chris, William, James, John, Dominic, Dale, Meryn. We were all very thrilled to learn of your great award.
RNZAF SGT
Well done and congratulations. You are a visible and proud individual and sign of all those of represent both New Zealand, and more importantly the NZDF as a whole. To the rest of us within the NZDF, we can only wish to reach the dedication you showed to you comrade and friend under fire. Yes, Air Force are proud of you and what you represent too. "Who Dares Wins" and you did.
Curly
Kia Ora, from all us Kiwis working in Lebanon wishing you well. Hard-earned medal in the face of death. Kia kaha and support from us on your next mission. You served our country well, and that's why we are out there.
Ngati (Wanganui)
Kia ora Cpl Apiata, VC, we feel very proud of what you have achieved and that you are now embedded in history. What a great achievement. Hope the days in 6HAU held you up well. Ka whai whai tonu, ake ake ake!
Kia Kaha brother. "Ngati" Whanau
Glasgow, Scotland
While being far from home, I always read our NZ Herald online to keep up with what's happening over in our beautiful side of the world. Your story is truly awesome, very proud of you and your courageous efforts. May God continue to keep you, and all other women and men helping in this world, to stay safe and strong.
MAC ex-RAMC(UK)
Absolutely outstanding. In the spirit of a true warrior.
A fellow NZBatt 3 comrade
Willy, by now you'll have had your fill of the 'hooha' about your actions. For my part, and I know for the rest of the boys that went to Timor with you, we're extremely proud to have known, worked with and to wear the same uniform as yourself.
'Shot,mah bruther. Too much'.
Gunny J (Texas)
My respects and congratulations on your acknowledgement of a job well done. I first heard of New Zealand from my father 50 years ago, as he talked of his time spent in your country as a US Marine recuperating from wounds sustained during battle. He had nothing but high praise for the men and women of New Zealand, and longed to return for a visit but never did. Again, Aghurra! Job well done Cpl.
James Jorgenson GySgt. USMC Ret.
John Belgrave
I don't know Cpl Apiata and therefore don't have the privilege of calling him Willy. As an ex-pat NZer living abroad, I read about the award and felt a strong bond to my native country. Cpl Apiata epitomises the understated in NZ's history and has demonstrated that he is prepared to put his own life at risk to secure the life of his comrade at arms. It makes me proud to be a NZer, knowing there are people such as Cpl Apiata totally committed to the outcome of their training yet demonstrating such humanity and bravery - well done Cpl Apiata!
Tokyo Kiwi
I have to join in the national chorus here to congratulate you Cpl Apiata VC. Your taiaha is definitely on the inside bro! Your words were few but I'm certain they have spoken of many things to many kiwis (and non-kiwis) everywhere. I'm sure we are all the better for this news. Faamalosi, kia kaha bro! Subarashi!
Ken Thompson
Just a quick note from a commoner in England - soldiers who put their lives on the line both for their comrades and in the interests of fighting a global enemy deserve to be recognised. It is a common trait of VC winners to be humble and unassuming in the glair of publicity, but I think all of us who are on the side of good can sleep easier in our beds because of committed and dedicated people like this, Congratulations and thank you.
The Galloping Major (Shropshire, UK)
Congratulations to a very gallant young soldier from an old one. It has made little news in the Old Country, but I intend to rectify that. Keep yourself safe now - D C L
Sonny (Auckland)
Well done to Apiata, a friend in need is a friend indeed.
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