CPL Willie Apiata, VC 

In July 2007, New Zealand's Prime Minister announced that Corporal Willie Apiata would be awarded the Victoria Cross for New Zealand, for displaying the highest order of courage under fire.

Photos on this page were taken on Armistice Day 2007, 11 November, when CPL Apiata also received the RSA's highest honour, known as the Badge in Gold. Other photos in this section were taken at Willie's Homecoming ceremony at Te Kaha marae, his formal Investiture ceremony at Government House, and on the day the award was announced, 02 July 2007.

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Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae congratulates Corporal Apiata on receiving the VC.
Chief of Defence Force ( 21.8KB jpg )
Lieutenant Colonel Blackwell pins the US Presidential Citation on Corporal Apiata.
US Presidential Citation ( 22.7KB jpg )
 
Corporal Apiata places for the first time the bar of ribbons including the Victoria Cross to his uniform.
Bar of Ribbons ( 26.4KB jpg )
Corporal Apiata standing in front of the statue of Lord Freyberg another recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Statue of Lord Freyberg ( 22KB jpg )
 
Corporal Apiata arrives at Defence House in Wellington.
Cpl Apiata ( 21.7KB jpg )
Corporal Bill (Willie) Apiata.
Corporal Bill (Willie) Apiata. ( 23.5KB jpg )
 

This page was last reviewed on 14 March 2008 and is current.

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