Published: 6:57AM Friday October 16, 2009
Source: ONE News/Newstalk ZB
Source: ONE News
More than 40 years after the end of the Vietnam War, one New Zealand veteran is finally receiving his US bravery medal.
Brian Chippendale was a Captain in the New Zealand Army, attached to a US Army unit on patrol in Vietnam in April 1968.
When the patrol was attacked, Chippendale led his American colleagues in a counterattack, and forced the enemy into retreat.
He will be presented with the Bronze Star with Valour Device on Friday night at the Silverdale RSA, just north of Auckland.
The commendation praised his "extremely courageous performance" and "tactical proficiency" against overwhelming odds.
Chippendale says he's a little embarrassed because it was so long ago, and he's well past his service days.
Provocative, unflinching, Thursday 9:30pm
Back Benches - giving politics back to the people
The way New Zealand wakes up weekdays, 6:30am
No one gets you closer, weeknights 7pm
Looking out for the little guy, Wednesday 7:30pm
Meet the people that bring you the news
TV ONE weekdays, 6am
The home of NZ politics - Sunday, 9am TV ONE
Where there's a story, we'll find it, Sunday 7:30pm
Te Karere, Maori News - 4pm weekdays, TV ONE
News on digital channel TVNZ 7
Advertising
