KEY POINTS:
Delta 5 (Northland)
Congratulations corporal Willy Apiata. Mate, I stand and salute your outstanding bravery and heroism! Your gallantry has brought great pride to your country and all true kiwis. The beers are on me mate any time any place, you just name it!
Rube Shaw (Perth)
Just received the news article detailing New Zealand's latest recipient of the Victoria Cross, SAS corporal Bill Apiata. Well done Bill, a credit to you and all the other men of the Kiwi SAS.
Rube Shaw, Former SASR
Charles Bryers Retired (WO2NZSAS)
From all the ex-members of the NZSAS who are working on the African continent we congratulate Cpl Apati for displaying such gallantry in the field and for receipt of his Victoria Cross award. We all salute you and wish you and your unit all the best for the future.
Edwin Taumarunui (W2 SVN)
Kia Ora Willy. Congratulations, job well done. Heroes and role models are what we need.
Ngatikiwithailand
Kia ora, Willy, as an ex squadron /unit member, maori & Ngapuhi I am so proud to read of you & those other unit members who were so rightfully recognized for as you say "Doing your job". The unit has never been one to self promote deeds well done, but in this case the recognition & media coverage is well deserved. Congratulations especially to you, but also to those other active members who were decorated.
Kia kaha JS-W
Geoff
Congratulations to Cpl Apiata - a fantastic achievement, this is something that all young kiwis should aspire to. Well done!
Miri (Auckland)
Felix Adler once said "A hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by". Congratulations Corporal Apiata for providing that great light - you have made your country proud.
John (Bangkok, Thailand)
A magnificent honour for a brave Kiwi serviceman. Corporal Apiata's humble response to being awarded the honour only make the appointment even more deserved. It is on days like these that you stand proud as a New Zealander and duly remember all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in battle, to give us all today, the freedom we now enjoy. If only some of the idiots out there in NZ society showed an ounce of thanks for what others have laid on the line for them, in years now gone by? - "Ake Ake kia kaha!"
Keg (Sunshine Coast, Queensland)
BZ to Bill Apiata for keeping alive the ANZAC tradition.
KK
John Robinson
This award to this man has caused me to choke back tears. His incredible actions; and that of his colleagues makes me incredibly proud to be a Kiwi - even though I have no right to be proud because of their selfless actions. The man they saved is indeed fortunate to have such good mates. Their "esprit d'corps" (or however it is spelled) is something to which we all as New Zealanders should aspire. It would make us better as a nation. Look, I know my sentiments mean nothing to you Corporal but, "Good on you mate". Thank you.
J.A. Willson (Laconia, New Hampshire, USA)
I was led to your article about the NZ soldier who was awarded the VC from a link on a Texas website. I just want to add my thanks for the support and gallantry of our Allies. It is greatly appreciated, even if seldom acclaimed.
Thank you Kiwis! Be sure that we will be there for you, should the need ever arise!
Majork (Dili, Timor Leste)
Cpl Apiata's exceptional courage and skills have emphasised the outstanding abilities and fighting qualities of the New Zealand soldier. I am extremely proud of you, your family and the Maori people.
Kia Kaha, Kia Miah.
Teina Kake
Proud Maori (Rotorua)
Isn't it lovely to hear and read about something positive that Maori have done for a change? So many times the focus is on the negative, and it is hammered over and over for days on end. I am a Rotorua resident who has followed the epic story about an equally heroic soldier of this region: Haane Manahi. I'm not sure of exact numbers, but over the years many thousands of Maori have served our country in various ways, both on and off the battlefields of history. They humbly serve their nation in their tour of duty and, if lucky, return to carry on with life. Haane, like Corporal Apiata, was a man with mana. Today I am so proud to be Maori, and even more proud of the deeds of our soldiers, most recent being Corporal Apiata.
C. Stevenson (UK)
From what we have seen and heard 'Fearless and bravery' seem insufficient and the award well earned. Good luck from UK.
Melanie (Hong Kong)
Corporal Apiata - a very well deserved and special honour for someone who is nothing less than a hero. From your kiwi supporters in Hong Kong - congratulations.
Jo
Why are you a corporal? This sort of common sense, bottom line, number 8 wire attitude would serve well should you become a leader in the field. Am so glad that there are noble stories coming out of that ignoble war (and of course that your rescuee survived).
Gregg (Saigon, Vietnam)
Congratulations on being awarded the Victoria Cross. Your heroism in the face of death is overwhelming. I saw death in Vietnam as an Australian soldier and I thank you for saving another's life. Its ordinary blokes like yourself that mostly go unrewarded for your actions. Keep the faith.
Tinshed
Dear Corporal Apiata,
I know you believe you were just doing your job. I am also sure that you know that there are/were many other New Zealand service men and women who also deserved such recognition. No matter. You have done your family, your whanau and your country proud. Like or not, you are a hero, a role model, to many of us ordinary New Zealanders. We are proud to call you one of us, to walk beside you. You heroism and bravery is an example to all of us. Thank you. I am just so proud of what you have done.
Larry (Texas)
I salute a brave, young man who cared about a comrade rather than himself.
Brendan
We, your people in this country, salute your bravery. You are a deserving winner of this award and a true hero in the tradition of Ngarimu and Upham. Like all the truly great, your modesty is obvious to all.
John (Gold Coast)
I just want to say how proud I am of what Corporal Apiata has done, and the way he has reacted to his award. Not only has he acted with bravery and honour he epitomises what the true meaning of camaraderie is and his humble acceptance of this only goes to make it even more of a tribute to his character. I am sure he is wondering what all the fuss is, well to be truthful Corporal Apiata you have acted as I imagine most of us would hope we would, and probably wouldn't in this situation. I have never been in the Army but my father was a young man who put his hand up in the 2nd World War like many others. When he did speak about what went on, which was not often - but usually over a beer or two, it was never of the fighting and the bad conditions, but of his mates and what they did to help him make it through. You are probably going to be fussed over a lot from now on, please don't get annoyed or embarrassed but accept our recognition of your actions, and realise it is not hero worship but your confirmation to us that honour and doing the right thing are still part of the Kiwi mentality. Congratulations, you deserve it.
Ted (Blue) Hawkins (Caboolture, Queensland,
Thank you for your article on the awarding of the Victoria Cross to Corporal Apiata, NZ SASR. As one who served for 22 years in the Australian Army (1966-88) and a Vietnam veteran, I am proud of any service man or woman who is awarded a medal for bravery. Your article has been forwarded to my extensive email list and I sincerely hope they reply to it and show their support of this brave man.
Gerry Lyall OAM (Queensland)
Corporal Apiata joins an elite group of heroes from both sides of the Tasman. I applaud and honour his service to his fellow soldiers under battle conditions. May he live long and be a role model to many generations to come.
Des Anderson
Congratulations. From the 6th (Hauraki)Battalion Regimental Association and from your mates in the Hauraki's, both past & present. Once a Hauraki always a Hauraki. Kia kaha.
Joe (Tamaki Makaurau)
May you live a long and peaceful life. A job well done.
Mary
Bill, you are an absolute hero in every way and very deserving of the VC. You are a credit to yourself, your people and our country as a whole, and your actions represent a shining example of all of what's good and decent in this troubled world. Good luck, good health and may you know only peace and happiness throughout your life. Cheers.
Babs
As a former unit member, I offer my personal congratulations. You were only doing your job. Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace. You have brought honour to yourself, the Unit and your country. I salute you.
Jim Reed
Congratulations Corporal on your well deserved award.
Atisa (Salt Lake City, Utah ,USA)
Kiaora brother! Though I don't know you personally, you have made the Maori people and your tribe proud of who and what you are, especially your mother. I, too, am also proud of my Maori heritage - through my Mom - and take every chance I have to let my children know of their whanau, and all that there is to know of their Maori heritage. Kia kaha!
Ex-unit member (Perth)
I am sending you this message on behalf of all the ex-NZSAS Gp members and their families and also all those ex NZ military families currently residing in Western Australia. The funny thing was at about 08:45hrs local time today, I watched a video of the four-part documentary on the unit shown on TV3 and later in the day received a text from NZ in relation to your awards. We congratulate you for this awesome feat of courage and bravery. I do not wish to go on too long as the boys here have shared the details of the action, Willy we would not have expected less. To the other lads we congratulate and salute you all. What you guys have achieved in the face of adversity truly typifies what the unit and those who serve in it is all about. As the RSM puts in the documentary "Train hard, fight easy", I'm sure the fight wasn't easy but the hard training and the pursuit of excellence would have helped immensely. Again lads congratulations from all the NZSAS families here in WA, Australia. "Who Dares Wins".
Renz
It makes me proud to be a Kiwi, very proud for the brother for what he's done and to all his team-mates as well. God bless them all, over the moon about it, and also to our America's Cup brothers. Go hard boys. Irrespective of the result you are still winners to me.
Kiwi Lisa
Wouldn't do any harm to have more great guys like Bill in New Zealand.
Texas, USA
I just wanted to send a quick note concerning the story of Corporal Apiata being awarded the Victoria Cross. Although he says he was just doing his job, he is a hero in my book. Congratulation to Corporal Apiata for "just doing his job". He has my highest respect. I served in the US Army between 1966 and 1969.
Matt J
Cpl. Apiata makes me proud to not only be a New Zealander but also proud to be a Maori. You are a credit to your country and your iwi.
Heta (Perth)
Too meke Cpl, The country is proud of you, the squadron is proud of you, You have earned your Mana. Well done.
Waitakere Pacific Board Inc
We are very proud of you, your courage, might and will is so deserving of your recognition.
With much respect your Pasefika family in Waitakere.
Warren (Auckland)
Oh wow, in New Zealand, where there are so many achieving recognition for doing wrong, I am stoked that someone finally gets a small reward for doing something selfless. The medal could never repay him for saving a life, but at least it goes a small way to show our gratitude for his service to us.
God bless ya Willy.
Rick (Auckland)
God bless Corporal Bill. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
Richard (Hong Kong)
Corporal Apiata - congratulations does not do justice to what you have achieved. You are a humble man, all I ask is you carry forward your bravery to share this award with many young New Zealanders. You have already saved one life, if you can inspire the lives of others then you truly have achieved the ultimate. Be proud of yourself Willy Apiata - you are a hero to every single New Zealander. Kia kaha.
Doc
Well done Cpl, from all accounts you thoroughly earned and deserve your VC.
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