Bravery recognised

Press, 22 May 1978, Page 22

Bravery recognised

PA Wellington A New Zealand Army sergeant has been awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct, the GovernorGeneral (Sir Keith Holyoake), has announced. He is Sergeant John Halladay Smith. of Ngaruawahia, o' the Royal Reg ; ment of New Zealand Artillery. The Government House announcement said Sergeant Smith had been

attending an exercise with his unit at Four Mile Beach, near Raglan, in December, when a ’ young woman visiting the unit as a potential recruit had got into difficulties while swimming. There had been a heavy surf and a fierce rip had been carrying the woman out to sea. "With complete disregard for his own safety, I Sergeant Smith swam at | an oblique angle out be- i yond the rip and reached ! the woman.” the citation | . said. “He then returned I ‘ through the heavy surf ■ with the woman clinging i t > his back. He succeeded I in the rescue in spite of a j bad attack of cramp that left him unable to walk after arrival back at the beach. His courageous ac- , tion undoubtedly saved the life of the woman.” 1