N.Z. Soldier Killed, 6 Hurt In Vietnam

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32252, 21 March 1970, Page 12

N.Z. Soldier Killed, 6 Hurt In Vietnam

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 20. A New Zealand soldier was killed in action and six others were wounded, one seriously, in two separate contacts with the Viet Cong in Phouc Tuy province. South Vietnam, yesterday.

The Army Information Ser-i vice released the list of casu-j alties this morning. They are: j Killed In Action Private T. W. Paenga, aged. 20, single, of Gisborne. Wounded In Action Private P. D. Thomas, aged I 21, single of Northland- Shrap-j nel wounds to the chest and■ abdomen. Condition very seri-l ous. Private JR. M. White, aged!. 21, single of Murupara. Shrap-; nel wounds to the right leg, and arm. Condition satisfactory. Corporal T. N. 0. Tukamo. aged 27, single, of Gisborne. Shrapnel wounds to the head. Condition satisfactory. Private W. G. Keatch. aged. 22, single, of Porirua East.; Shrapnel wounds to the head and chest Condition satisfac-! tory.

Sergeant T. H. Tuhiwai.: aged 29, married, of Wairoa Shrapnel wounds to the knee Condition satisfactory Private R T. Heke. aged 21, single of Tauranga. Shrapnel wounds to the shoulder Condition satisfactory. All the wounded are in the Ist Australian Field Hospital. Vung Tau.

Private Thomas and Private White were wounded when an enemy mine was detonated during a sweep of the Nui Dinh hills by Victor Com-, pany, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, and Army of■ the Republic of Vietnam i units.

Private Paenga was killed and the other soldiers were wounded in another contact in the same area about six hours later. The New’ Zealanders were supported by A.N.Z.A.C. artillery from Nui Dat during the contacts. Enemy casualties are not yet known. The operation is continuing.

In Sydney yesterday a soldier of Whisky Company, Royal New Zealand Infantry

Regiment, died of gunshot wounds received in action in Vietnam on January 30. He was

Private D. N. Wright, of Timaru.

Private Wright was evacuated to the Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, on Febiruary 3. He was later moved Ito Concord Military Hospital. 1 Sydney. ' Private Wrights parents iflew to Sydney and were with him when he died. Military Funeral

In Timaru it was reported that Private Wright, the son: of the Anglican vicar of St! Andrews, the Rev. Philip N. ; Wright, and Mrs Wright, will! be accorded a military funeral from the St Mary’s Church, Esk Valley. The parents will return to Ne z Zealand next week, and the funeral will probably take place after! Easter. The Bishop of Christchurch, the Rt Rev. W. A. Pyatt, would officiate, the Archdeacon of Timaru, the Ven. S. E. Woods, said today.