NZSAS Awards

[Pagan]

There was a brief note on the news about the awarding of medals to the NZSAS.

I could not find anything on the NZ Defence force site, maybe I didn't look hard enough.

But I did find the info here https://www.national.org.nz/news/news/media-releases/detail/2014/12/08/gallantry-awards-recognise-nzsas

A nice read.

[peter monahan]

Clearly the same considerations apply to the NZSAS as to its British counterpart: for operational security reasons, members are never named and, it least in the British case, continue to be carried on the rolls of their parent unit, so that in fact a gazetted award might list the honouree as a member of 'the Fore and Fit...Foot' and not the SAS. Frustrating! Hence the reference to 'Trooper J' on the site you list.

[Mike Smith]

In recent times there have been several Gallantry awards to SAS members in NZ, and they are always refered to as "solder A, Captain B, Corporal C, &c, &c just as is doen in other realms

[peter monahan]

Not surprisingly, one doesn't often hear or read about the missions the SAS of various armies carry out under cover and or in civilian clothes and identities. Sussing out enemy artillery positions in Serbia/Bosnia comes to mind, as does the infamous Gibraltar IRA 'take down' several decades ago now. Not just residual paranoia on the part of the military.

[Mike Smith]

In the New Year Honours list from three days ago (31 Dec 2014) there was this listing for the award of the NZ Distinguished service Decoration (NZDSD)

The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration

The Queen has been pleased, on the celebration of the New Year, to make the following awards of The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration:

New Zealand Defence Force

Serviceman B. For services to the New Zealand Defence Force. (Name withheld for security reasons)

Edited January 2, 2015 by Mike Smith