FIELD SERVICE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22434, 15 September 1947, Page 6

FIELD SERVICE

HEROISM IN BATTLE MAORI AWARDS MIDDLE EAST FRONTS RUATORIA INVESTITURE (Herald Special Reporter.) Records of Maori gallantry were recalled at the Ruatoria hui gathering on Saturday when the Governor General, Sir Bernard Freyberg, distributed at a public investiture military decorations won by Maori servicemen in the war theatres of the Middle East. One Military Cross and Bar six Military Crosses, a Distinguished Conduct Medal, and four Military Mecials were amons the decorations won lay men of the Tairawhiti district and conferred today on the recipients at an impressive ceremony at Hnakaiua Park, Several civil honours were also included in the list, marking Royal approval of the work of individuals on the home front. The awards were as under: MILITARY CROSS AND BAR Major John Sonny Baker, Second N.Z.E.F., for outstanding gallantry in the Italian campaign, in which he led his platoon with outstanding dash and vigour and held up enemy counter-attacks and enabled his platoon and a neighbouring company to withdraw. _ He later earned the bar to his Military Cross by courage, skill and 'motive when commanding a forwairt company during the advance on Florence. THE MILITARY CROSS

Lieutenant-Colonel Arapeta Awatere, D 5.0., Second N.Z.E.F.. in recognition of great courage and leadership when commanding a company in an attack at Point 209 in Tunisia; in the face of very heavy machine-gun fire and shell-fire his company destroyed an enemy strong-point which had held up the attack, Lieutenant-Colonel Awatere being always to the forefront directing and inspiring his men. Although wounded, he refused to move to the rear until satisfied his company were well positioned on their objective. Major Benjamin G« Christy, Second N Z.E.F., for outstanding bravery and qualities of leadership in the attack on Cassino, in which his platoon accounted for a considerable number of the enemy. Captain Wi Reedy, Second N.Z.E.t., for a display of great personal courage in leading his company to an'attack in the Santerno area of the Italian front, when his unit inflicted heavy losses on the enemy

and put a tank out of action. Captain Aussie Huata, Second N.Z.E.F,. for outstanding courage and skill when in command of a platoon during the attack on Casa Blanca, his platoon capturing a heavilydefended strong-point after severe

fighting, later holding the position against counter-attacks. The Rev- Wile Tau Huata, chaplain, Second N.Z.E.F., for outstanding work with the Maori Battalion, frequently helping with the evacuation of wounded under shell-fire, and by his happy disposition and spiritual leadership providing an inspiration to the troops. Lieutenant Te Ruawhiro Tibbie, Second N.Z.E.F., for courage and resourcefulness when commanding an anti-tank platoon in Italy, skilfully manoeuvring his guns dc- . spite heavy enemy fire, destroying an enemy gun and setting fire to a Tiger 'tank. THE ROYAL RED CROSS (SECOND CLASS) Charge Sister Jane Kiritapu Nepia, N.Z. Army Nursing Service, for nursing work of an exceptionally high order on the hospital ship Maunganui and in New Zealand hospitals. DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL Private Pita Maangi, Second N.Z.E.F., for displaying courage and devotion to duty during an attack on Scola Fratturi, on April 11, 1945, when on his own initiative he crossed an area swept by machinegun and mortar fire to bring tank support to his platoon, which had suffered heavy casualties; returning he guided the armour close to the enemy and directed the fire of the tanks with considerable effect. THE MILITARY MEDAL Lieutenant Watene Faliau, Second N.Z.E.F., for displaying as a war-rant-officer, great gallantry when commanding a platoon in the Italy campaign; leading a vigorous bayonet attack, despite enemy rifle and shell-fire and completely dislodging a well-entrenched enemy. Warrant Officer (II) Te Kapunga Ilarawira, Second N.Z.E.F., for an inspiring display of leadership in an attack on an important enemy position, during which he was constantly on his feet encouraging his men, and continued tirelessly aggressive throughout the advance. Lance-Sergeant Keith Oates, Second N.Z.E.F.. for courage and tenacity in maintaining line communication to the forward battalion of his brigade, despite harrassins shellfire and mortar fire. His cheerful demeanour provided an inspiration to his comrades. Private Tahere Hami Tuhi, for courage and devotion to duty of the highest order when acting as medical orderly, proceeding forward despite heavy enemy fire to dress the wounds of comrades and though badly wounded himself by enemy fire he carried his sergeant back to safety. BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL (Military’ Division) Flight-Sergeant John Leonard Logan, R.N.Z.A-F., in recognition of meritorious service in the Royal New Zealand Air ForceMEMBER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (Civil Division) Mrs. Mary Karaka Waititi. Mrs. Hinehou Tureia. Miss Isabella Banks. BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL (Civil Division) Mrs. Iliria Tangacrc. Mr. Jolin Penfold. In addition to the honours and decorations presented by His Excellency to surviving members of the forces, the investiture included the presentation of decorations won by servicemen since deceased to their next-of-kin. These were.— DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL Lance-Sergeant Ngakete Tukaki, Second N.Z.E.F., in recognition of outstanding courage and resourcefulness in leading a brilliant attack with hand-grenades and bayonet during operations in the Western Desert. Lance-Sergeant Tutaki was killed in action in Italy in 1944. His decoration was received by his parents. MILITARY MEDAL Private Kura Edward, Second N.Z.E.F., in recognition of personal courage and fortitude of a very high order while serving as a stretch-er-bearer in Tunisia in 1943. Private Edward died at Ruatoria on November 14, 1944. His decoration was received by his mother, Mrs. R. teH EdwardPrivate Morgan Ratu Polae, Second N.Z.E.F., in recognition of courage and devotion to duty, although himself wounded and shocked, after the attack on Takrouna Village in April ,1943. Private Potae was killed in action in December 1944. His decoration was received by his father, Mr. Enoka Potae.