Recipients of the New Zealand Gallantry Star
Corporal Albert Henry MOORE (B10112323), Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment - date of acts: 3 August 2010; location of acts: Afghanistan; year of award: 2011
Colonel Neville John REILLY, O.N.Z.M. (T30975), Colonels' List, New Zealand Army - year of acts: 1999; location of acts: East Timor; year of award: 2000
Citations
Corporal Albert Henry MOORE (B10112323), Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment - Special Honours List 1 October 2011
Citation
Corporal Moore was the commander of the rear vehicle of a New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team patrol when it was ambushed by insurgent forces near the town of Chartok in Bamyan Province Afghanistan on 3 August 2010. The insurgents set off an improvised explosive device, which immobilised the lead vehicle and then began firing at all four vehicles with small arms fire and shoulder launched rockets, in an engagement that was to continue for some 35 minutes. Corporal Moore immediately ordered his vehicle to pull back in order to establish a firm base from which to support the patrol's withdrawal. This was done in the vicinity of a nearby house. He then coordinated suppressing fire to support the rearwards move of the surviving two vehicles. One of these was able to reach the base, but the other was immobilised by small arms fire some 30 metres away. Despite this, all members of the patrol, except those in the lead vehicle, were now consolidated in one location. It was apparent however that the patrol's position was exposed and that they were both under observation and subject to direct fire from enemy positions on surrounding high ground. Recognising the need for air support and to communicate with higher command, Corporal Moore remounted his vehicle and, under continuous fire from the enemy, drove forward 30 metres to the immobilised vehicle to recover communications equipment. Still under direct fire, he made two further trips to the immobilised vehicle. The first was to collect a general purpose machine gun and the second to pick up extra ammunition. At one stage during these actions, as he mounted and dismounted from his vehicle, he was struck on the shoulder by shrapnel from an enemy rocket.
It was during this time that the two surviving members of the lead vehicle made radio contact to advise that they were wounded, their patrol commander had been killed and that they were pinned down by enemy fire in a dry creek bed near to where their vehicle had been immobilised. After receiving approval from the officer who had assumed command, Corporal Moore remounted his vehicle a fourth time and went forward 350 metres to where the lead vehicle was located. Throughout this move he coordinated suppressing fire on to the high ground from his vehicle and established communications with the wounded soldiers (Lance Corporal Ball and Private Baker). On arrival he positioned his vehicle between the enemy and the soldiers so that they could safely mount the vehicle. He then took them back to the patrol's base for medical treatment.
Related Gallantry Awards:
The New Zealand Gallantry Decoration to Lance Corporal Allister Donald BAKER (Q1018707), Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
The New Zealand Gallantry Decoration to Corporal Matthew John BALL (X1015655), Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals.
Also see the 1 October 2011 media statement - Defence Force personnel receive awards for gallantry.
Colonel Neville John REILLY, O.N.Z.M. (T30975), Colonels' List, New Zealand Army - Queen's Birthday Honours List 2000
Citation
Colonel Reilly, between June and September 1999, served with the United Nations Mission to East Timor (UNAMET). Immediately the result of the referendum was announced, East Timor began to descend to a state of anarchy. Colonel Reilly was then asked by the United Nations to assume responsibility for the security of the United Nations Mission. It was during this period that he displayed exceptional courage and presence in the face of great physical threat from the rampant militia forces. He often ventured unarmed and with complete disregard to his personal safety to provide support to displaced United Nations staff and to reconnoitre escape routes for possible emergency evacuation of United Nations staff. On one specific occasion, he drove some five kilometres through militia controlled territory to rescue a colleague who was trapped by militia forces attacking the house in which he was hiding. He effected the rescue at considerable personal risk, displaying a total disdain for the chaos and danger around him. Colonel Reilly's calm, unruffled leadership and courage were also inspirational during the siege by militia forces of the UNAMET compound. In addition, his diplomacy and Indonesian language skills were pivotal in successfully negotiating the safe evacuation of some two thousand people, comprising all United Nations staff from Dili and East Timorese nationals who had sought refuge with the United Nations.
This page was last reviewed 5 October, 2011 and is current.