Medal Presentation to Next of Kin
Prime Minister Helen Clark and Defence Minister Mark Burton will today present the New Zealand Operational Service Medal
(NZOSM) to 49 next of kin of New Zealanders who were killed or died in military operations since 1945. More than 200
people will attend the ceremony at Parliament.
The NZOSM was recently instituted to recognise all New Zealand personnel who served in operations since 1945, and meets
a long-standing need for distinctive New Zealand recognition of operational service.
“I am pleased that we can now offer the families of those who lost their lives serving New Zealand appropriate
acknowledgement of their loved ones’ service,” Helen Clark said. “Today’s presentation is an opportunity to convey New
Zealand’s appreciation of that service.”
The operational service covered by the presentation includes Japan in the late 1940s, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand,
Vietnam, East Timor and Kuwait. The list of personnel being recognised at this presentation is attached.
The ceremony follows a search for the next of kin of the 125 New Zealanders who were killed or died during operational
service since 3 September 1945. Previously, the New Zealand Defence Force lacked the next of kin details for half of
those who died in such operations. Recent publicity of the medal presentations has identified family members of all but
15 of those eligible for an NZOSM.
A second medal presentation will be held in Auckland at a later date.
Brief Notes on Recipients at New Zealand Operational Service Medal Presentation, Wednesday 3 September 2003
Sergeant Andrew Clements Kirkpatrick
Sergeant Kirkpatrick (Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force) died in Japan on 28 April 1946. The New Zealand
Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his nephew Mr Andrew Kirkpatrick of Christchurch.
Gunner John Matthew O’Brien
Gunner O’Brien (Royal New Zealand Artillery) died in Japan on 9 August 1946. The New Zealand Operational Service Medal
is received on his behalf by his nephew Mr Brian Murphy of Hastings.
Sergeant David Gavin Rose
Sergeant Rose (Royal New Zealand Infantry) died in Japan on 27 October 1946. The New Zealand Operational Service Medal
is received on his behalf by his sister Mrs Pam Lee of Lower Hutt.
Private Malcolm James MacKenzie
Private MacKenzie (Royal New Zealand Infantry) died in Japan on 19 May 1947. The New Zealand Operational Service Medal
is received on his behalf by his brother Mr Robert MacKenzie of Dannevirke.
Private Jack Douglas Tindall
Private Tindall (New Zealand Medical Corps) died in Japan on 31 May 1947. The New Zealand Operational Service Medal is
received on his behalf by his sister Mrs Barbara Tindall of Hibiscus Coast.
Corporal Cecil Roberts Withers
Corporal Withers (Royal New Zealand Air Force) died in Japan on 15 February 1948. The New Zealand Operational Service
Medal is received on his behalf by his daughter Mrs Joan O’Brien of Levin.
Ordinary Seaman William Henry Cooper
Ordinary Seaman Cooper (Royal New Zealand Navy) was lost at sea during the Korean War on 29 July 1950. The New Zealand
Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his brothers Mr Jim Cooper & Mr George Cooper of Cromwell.
Warrant Officer Class Two Richard George Long
Warrant Officer Class Two Long (Royal New Zealand Artillery) was killed in action in Korea on 13 January 1951. The New
Zealand Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his cousin Mrs Lois Burleigh of Wellington.
Able Seaman Robert Edward Marchioni
Able Seaman Marchioni (Royal New Zealand Navy) was killed in action in Korea on 26 August 1951. The New Zealand
Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his brother Mr Tony Marchioni of Hamilton.
Gunner Mervyn Frederick Frith
Gunner Frith (Royal New Zealand Artillery) died of wounds received during the Korean War on 5 November 1951. The New
Zealand Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his sister Mrs Joyce Douglas of Rangiora.
Gunner Jefford Rex Watson
Gunner Watson (Royal New Zealand Artillery) died in Korea on 18 November 1951. The New Zealand Operational Service Medal
is received on his behalf by his nephew Mr Jefford Watson of Palmerston North.
Gunner Robert Edward Compton
Gunner Compton (Royal New Zealand Artillery) died of wounds received in Korea on 24 November 1951. The New Zealand
Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his brother Mr Lionel Compton of Masterton.
Gunner Edward William Allnatt
Gunner Allnatt (Royal New Zealand Artillery) died of wounds received in Korea on 27 November 1951. The New Zealand
Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his brother Mr Wally Allnatt of Mosgiel.
Gunner Donald Cameron Jackson
Gunner Jackson (Royal New Zealand Artillery) died in Korea on 27 November 1951. The New Zealand Operational Service
Medal is received on his behalf by his sister Mrs Carol Harker of Wainuiomata.
Corporal Gordon Brian Cook
Corporal Cook (Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps) died of wounds received in Korea on 26 May 1952. The New Zealand
Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his brother Mr Lyndon Cook of Hastings.
Driver Boyce Whangapirita
Driver Whangapirita (Royal New Zealand Army Service Corps) died in Korea on 23 June 1952. The New Zealand Operational
Service Medal is received on his behalf by his niece Ms Tai Walker of Wellington.
Gunner Ramon Deane Carson
Gunner Carson (Royal New Zealand Artillery) died in Korea on 6 June 1953. The New Zealand Operational Service Medal is
received on his behalf by his nephew Mr Charles Carson of Blenheim.
Driver Colin Franklin Taylor
Driver Taylor (Royal New Zealand Army Service Corps) died in Korea on 17 May 1954. The New Zealand Operational Service
Medal is received on his behalf by his sister Mrs Margaret Blair of Timaru.
Gunner Ivo Raymond Clark
Gunner Clark (Royal New Zealand Artillery) died in Korea on 5 June 1954. The New Zealand Operational Service Medal is
received on his behalf by his sister Mrs Maime Caird of Alexandra.
Driver John Ewing Burborough
Driver Burborough (Royal New Zealand Army Service Corps) died in Korea on 4 November 1954. The New Zealand Operational
Service Medal is received on his behalf by LBdr Dean Cootes of Linton.
Driver Herbert Lester Humm
Driver Humm (Royal New Zealand Army Service Corps) died in Korea on 21 October 1955. The New Zealand Operational Service
Medal is received on his behalf by his brother Mr Barry Smith of Christchurch.
Sergeant George Nepia
Sergeant Nepia (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) died in Malaya on 18 November 1954. The New Zealand Operational
Service Medal is received on his behalf by his brother Mr Oma Nepia of Palmerston North.
Trooper Adrian Raymond Thomas
Trooper Thomas (New Zealand Special Air Service) was killed in action in Malaya on 2 May 1956. The New Zealand
Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his sister Mrs Harriet Fowler of Wellington.
Flying Officer Douglas Errol Nelson
Flying Officer Nelson (Royal New Zealand Air Force) died in Malaya on 10 December 1956. The New Zealand Operational
Service Medal is received on his behalf by his daughter Mrs Marie Johnston of Papakura.
Squadron Leader Alexander Stuart Tie
Squadron Leader Tie (Royal New Zealand Air Force) died in Malaya on 10 December 1956. The New Zealand Operational
Service Medal is received on his behalf by his widow Mrs Patricia Tie.
Corporal Allister George Buchanan
Corporal Buchanan (New Zealand Special Air Service) died in Malaya on 11 May 1957. The New Zealand Operational Service
Medal is received on his behalf by his sister Ms Eva Wright of Dunedin.
Leading Aircraftsman James Alan Roy Gudsell
Leading Aircraftsman Gudsell (Royal New Zealand Air Force) died in Malaya on 21 March 1959. The New Zealand Operational
Service Medal is received on his behalf by his cousin Mrs Diana Hebley of Picton.
Private George Whitelock Amas
Private Amas (the 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Regiment) died in Malaya on 31 March 1960. The New Zealand Operational
Service Medal is received on his behalf by his niece Ms Michele Amas of Wellington.
Private Toma Feesago Solia
Private Solia (the 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Regiment) died in Malaya on 10 December 1960. The New Zealand Operational
Service Medal is received on his behalf by his cousin Mr John Solia of Wellington.
Private Alexander William Monk
Private Monk (the 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Regiment) died in Malaya on 15 April 1964. The New Zealand Operational
Service Medal is received on his behalf by his sister Mrs Robyn Severinsen of Palmerston North.
Staff Sergeant Graham Richard Grigg
Staff Sergeant Grigg (Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps) was killed in action in Vietnam on 4 December 1965. The New
Zealand Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by Mrs Veronica Grigg of Nelson.
Corporal Maurice Manton
Corporal Manton (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) was killed in action in Vietnam on 2 September 1967. The New
Zealand Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his sister Mrs Sherrol Manton of Auckland and his brother
Mr Keiran Manton of Australia.
Corporal George Kingi Hoerara
Corporal Hoerara (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) was killed in action in Vietnam on 26 January 1968. The New
Zealand Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his nephew Mr Roy Hoerara of Wellington.
Gunner Stuart William Ellwood
Gunner Ellwood (Royal New Zealand Artillery) was killed in action in Vietnam on 6 February 1968. The New Zealand
Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his sister Mrs Ngaire Laursen of Wanganui.
Private William Reginald Awatere
Private Awatere (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) was killed in action in Vietnam on 12 April 1968. The New Zealand
Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his brother Mr Ken Awatere of Porirua.
Private Michael John Wickman
Private Wickman (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) was killed in action in Vietnam on 22 June 1968. The New Zealand
Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his sister Ms Sherry Wickman of Auckland.
Gunner Noel Stanley George Lyes
Gunner Lyes (Royal New Zealand Artillery) died in Vietnam on 23 June 1968. The New Zealand Operational Service Medal is
received on his behalf by his brother Mr Kevin Lyes of Hokitka.
Private Bryan James Petersen
Private Petersen (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) was killed in action in Vietnam on 14 September 1968. The New
Zealand Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his sister Mrs Linda Haddon of Palmerston North.
Corporal James Robert Gatenby
Corporal Gatenby (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) was killed in action in Vietnam on 5 June 1969. The New Zealand
Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his brother Mr Maurice Gatenby of Kaponga.
Lance Corporal Donald Imlay Bensemann
Lance Corporal Bensemann (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) was killed in action in Vietnam on 16 November 1968. The
New Zealand Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his brother Mr Kevin Bensemann of Hawera.
Private Donald Campbell Frith
Private Frith (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) died in Vietnam on 11 July 1969. The New Zealand Operational Service
Medal is received on his behalf by his sister Mrs Valmai Kyle of Hastings.
Corporal Joseph William Radford
Corporal Radford (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) was killed in action in Vietnam on 23 July 1969. The New Zealand
Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his son Cpl Gordon Radford of Trentham.
Sapper Rawhiti Hoera Brown
Sapper Brown (Royal New Zealand Engineers) was killed in action in Vietnam on 12 August 1969. The New Zealand
Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his brother Mr John Ruru of Gisborne.
Private Peter Rauhihi
Private Rauhihi (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) died of wounds received in Vietnam on 24 November 1969. The New
Zealand Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his brother Mr Paul Rauhihi of Foxton.
Lance Corporal Cecil Richard Fisk
Lance Corporal Fisk (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) was killed in action in Vietnam on 18 June 1970. The New
Zealand Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his son Mr Andrew Dunn of Shirley.
Lieutenant John Ramsey Winton
Lieutenant Winton (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) was killed in action in Vietnam on 10 March 1971. The New
Zealand Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his brother Lt Col Murray Winton (Rtd) of Auckland.
Sergeant Herbert Gordon Shawcroft
Sergeant Shawcroft (Royal New Zealand Engineers) died in Thailand on 30 March 1969. The New Zealand Operational Service
Medal is received on his behalf by his widow Mrs Inez Avenell of Palmerston North. Major Neil John McNutt
Major McNutt (Royal New Zealand Engineers) died in Kuwait on 13 March 2001. The New Zealand Operational Service Medal is
received on his behalf by his father Mr Goodwin McNutt of Akaroa.
Staff Sergeant William Edward White
Staff Sergeant White (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) died in East Timor on 25 April 2000. The New Zealand
Operational Service Medal is received on his behalf by his mother Mrs Shirley White of Palmerston North.