Citations For Awards

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32391, 2 September 1970, Page 18

Citations For Awards

Lieutenant B. E. Hall, of Papatoetoe, who has been awarded a Military Cross, was posted to South Vietnam in May, 1969, where he served with both Victor and Whisky Companies. He returned to New Zealand, in December, 1969, and assumed his present appointment as an instructor at the regular force depot. Waiouru. The citation says that on June 1, 1969, Lieutenant Hall's platoon initiated an ambush against an enemy force of more than 20. Two of the enemy were killed instantly, but the platoon was immediately engaged with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons. Lieutenant Hall skilfully withdrew his sentries to safety, moved his platoon weapons to provide covering fire, and personally led a bold assault with one section on the remaining enemy. His prompt and aggressive action quickly forced the enemy to break off the engagement, leaving behind one of his number and signs that he had suffered other casualties.

Late in the afternoon of June 17, 1969, Lieutenant Hall was on reconnaissance when four enemy were seen 15 metres away, between his party and the rest of the platoon. Fire was opened and the three surviving enemy broke towards the rest of the platoon, where they were killed. An hour after last light, a large enemy force again approached the platoon position. The platoon initiated its ambush, the enemy reacted sharply and within 20 minutes the platoon was withstanding probing attacks from all sides. For the next four hours the platoon fought off all attempts to penetrate its position. Dur. ing this time Lieutenant Hall

directed not only the fire of his platoon but also artillery and air strikes near his position. It was another two hours before enemy movement ceased. Between June 1 and September 26, 1969, Lieutenant Hall led his men in six contacts, resulting in 20 enemy dead without a single casualty being suffered by his platoon. These successes can be attributed directly to Lieutenant Hall’s bold and aggressive leadership, his willingness to assume the most dangerous position when in contact, and his skill as an infantry leader, the citation says. MTC Captain W. B. Flanagan (Distinguished Flying Cross), of Auckland, a pilot with the Australian Army’s 161 Reconnaissance Flight, returned to New Zealand this year to rejoin the Ist Light Aircraft Flight at Hobsonville. The citation says that on November 16, 1969, Captain Flanagan located an occupied enemy bunker system. Except when relieved briefly on one occasion to . refuel his aircraft, he maintained for six

hours a continuous and close surveillance of the enemy, while being continually engaged by fire. Flying at tree-top height he skilfully manoeuvred his aircraft, accurately adjusting artillery on to the bunkers. In addition, he controlled three air strikes on to the position. By his flying skill and complete disregard for his own safety he was able to continue to bring fire to bear on the bunkers until all enemy op. position ceased, the citation says. On the night of December 3, after one of his unit’s aircraft had been shot down by enemy ground fire, Captain Flanagan volunteered to search for survivors. With

: aerial flares to provide illumination he found the crashed aircraft He then hovered his helicopter only feet above the ground in an area known to be occupied by the enemy until he was able to find the missing crew members and establish their fate. On each occasion Captain Flanagan displayed high degrees of flying skill, determination and courage. His complete disregard for his own safety was an inspiration to the members of his unit, the citation says. Sergeant T. H. Tuhiwai, of Wairoa, who has won a Distinguished Conduct Medal, was posted to active service in South Vietnam in 1969, serving with Victor Company as a platoon sergeant. He returned to New Zealand in May to take up an appointment at the National Service Training Unit, Waiouru. His award is for an incident when, although wounded, he led. his patrol in beating off an enemy force of nearly 100. The citation says that on March 19 Sergeant Tuhiwai was commanding a rifle platoon patrolling in difficult and mountainous country. Elements of the leading section had just crossed the floor of a deep ravine when, at short range, it came under intense and accurate fire from a large, well-entrenched enemy force. Five casualties were suffered immediately, including Sergeant Tuhiwai, who had painful shrapnel wounds. One of the casualties could not be reached unless the enemy was dislodged from his position. Another patrol of V Company nearby was unable to come to Sergeant Tuhiwai’s assistance because it was itself under attack and wa? being heavily mortared. Several of the patrol were

in exposed positions in the open, several were wounded, and all movement was drawing fire from heavy machineguns, rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons, and mortars were firing nearby. The patrol nevertheless remained in contact and for the next hour, under Sergeant Tuhiwai’s resolute and bold leadership, attempted to carry the fight to the enemy, the citation says. Throughout, Sergeant. Tuhiwai braved enemy fire, to move round the patrol, encouraging his soldiers, directing their fire, and refusing at all times to give ground. His conduct was the more exemplary because of his wounds. The enemy force, which, it was subsequently learned, numbered nearly 100, finally broke off the engagement and abandoned its well-prepared positions as a direct result of the aggressiveness of Sergeant Tuhiwai and the men under his command. The quality of his leadership, his courage and personal example during this bitter action were an inspiration to all

and his gallant conduct is deserving of recognition, the citation says. Second-Lieutenant J. Ballance, mentioned in dispatches. of Taumarunui, was attached in 1969 to the Australian Army’s A Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, in South Vietnam. He returned to New Zealand in May and was posted as a troop leader with Ist Armoured Squadron, Waiouru. Private W. G. Doherty, mentioned in disptches, of Whangarei, was posted to active service in South Vietnam in May, 1969, as a member of Victor Company. He rejoined the Ist Battalion, R.N.Z.1.R., in Singapore last May.