ONE News: Victoria Cross recipient, Corporal Willy Apiata

[samvaioleti88]

i hear to get this medal you have had to have 99% of dying for your country and 1% of living. i dont know if its true but thats what i heard.

[andrew321977]

@samvaioleti88 less than 1% actually lives to recieve it. This man is one of a kind, and I am so glad we are brothers in arms. To all my British brothers in arms, this Canadian soldier is proud to serve with you.

[MrZzr12]

Correct me if I am wrong but of the almost 4000 NZ troops who served in Vietnam of whom 37 died and 187 were wounded, did none of these men put their lives on the line in any gallant way, as no VC medals were awarded how is that so. If I served in nam I would question this.

[danbuck333]

@MrZzr12 you really have an axe to grind dont you.....your trolling all apiatas videos....did he give you a hiding when you were kids or something?

[MrZzr12]

One action not even wounded , compared to all those NZ vets in previous wars who saved their comrades lives and get wounded or in some cases payed with their lives didnt get the VC why is that?

[soldier67958]

Willie ApiataVC a great man a true hero from NZ.The best.

[hemek]

Its amazing how humble he is

[greg313662]

Good on ya mate, from an Aussie!

I wouldn't dream that my message, among so many, might reach such a truly revered and honoured fellow.

My Dad fought as a M60 gunner in Vietnam 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC) and you would know that so many ordinary Aussies & Kiwis most absolutely TREASURE our shared military history that is a symbol of toughness and compassion to those we have fought. I am honoured to be part of 2 nations who have continued to serve so honourably and with the utmost respect, consistently.

[anglianchannel]

i thought saddam hussein was dead

[FreeRideAddikt]

@anglianchannel haha that was a shit joke

[AlienFirefox]

nice goin kiwis we are beating yas again though

[krissyeh]

Go all the Commonwealth VC recipients but the real hero's are the ones that never came home.

[aarc359]

New Zealand Army for life, Good Shit boys Go NZSAS toughest guys i know

[cod4jrsarge]

day sex lol got to love the Kiwis lol

[anzacproud]

I stand corrected Capt Upham was the second man to win the VC twice. The first man was Capt Noel Chavasse VC & Bar who was a medic during the first World War.

[Gibbs505]

@anzacproud Captain Upham is the only soldier to be awarded the VC and bar, the other two recipients were doctors. All are braver then I could possibly be!!

[anzacproud]

I take my hat off to Cpl Willie Apiata. He is now a member of a very elite club and that club is lead by another New Zealander who is the only man to have won the VC twice and that man is Captain (VC & bar) Charles Upham may he rest in peace.

[heywoodjerbloume]

@anzacproud One slight correction sport.You are awarded the VC you dont win it.Willy is a wonderful bloke.

[hakaboy6924]

Tama Toa Willie

The Kumara never boasts how sweet it is.

Paki Paki

[giantshrek1]

I wonder why some people are disputing abt which medal is harder to get, which country etc ... ? ANY soldier who gets ANY medal is braver than any of us here watching on YouTube. Just give them the respect they deserve.

[Embosan]

Hell, I'm American and even I'M proud of him! What a good, decent man...we could use a lot more like him. if I had to face the sharp end I'd want someone like him at my side.

[WildmanBorneo]

Top Tash.......Respect were respect is due.....Nice one mate

[countermeasure]

Good on ya Willy you're a top bloke!

[richyboy12]

This is one cool, calm, professional. Well done mate!

[Lyzation100]

everyone should think "what would Willie Apiata do"

[mikeoneuk]

NZ, AUS, UK SAS balls of steel.

[TheIkaraCult]

The way he talks about what he did is mindblowing, as if its something anybody could do.

[benafliction]

Thanks Willie you make me proud to be a kiwi.A truly gracious and humble hero.

[mcbreensnz]

is there a more modest person than corp willie?

[swedishvolvo]

He's a member of the B.M.F.C. (Bad Motha Fucker Club)

[tapapa21]

"Cant wait to touch base with them", when will that be? "Thats for me to know mate ahahaha" chur chur,sharp on and off the battle field,awesome!

[Kentuckyhorse1]

Men like him make me feel pathetic. Legend

[tharealongbak]

dang man wish my dad was in tha S.A.S

[greyrata]

Recognized Heroism should be respected regarless of nationality. Whether is the MOH or the VC the act of heroism is recognized and truly deserved. In today's world the word Hero is thrown around, but only those who show selfless acts or sacrifice are heros. Those who are recognized don't see themselves as heros but rather as oridinary people who under the most dire circumstances react to the situation they face and are modest about it.

[plzMFwakeupmyhumanz]

pure hero threw & threw! my people "maori" do not have to go to war we never should anyway, but look what happens when maori mana is on the scene ; ) tino ranga tira tanga, ngapuhi, hokianga hearty hard! taheke/kaikohe cassidy's! chur! chur! maori chur! mean maori mean! salute/ to Sir Willy Apiata.

[TovarishOne]

Glad the SAS is on the side of freedom. Good luck from the US.

[CamRaiD]

@TovarishOne Those bad guys picked the wrong convoy to ambush :p

[waiatatube]

Sir William (Bill) Apiata was given the VC for himself and also for all our WARRIORS & WARRIORESSES that went to war and for those WARRIORS AND WARRIORESSES who stayed home and kept the fires burning at home for our WARRIORS and WARRIORESSES. So he will carry the 'MANA' for our 'MAORI PEOPLE' with him always.

For our koros, uncles, aunties, cousins, mums and dads, who participated in the war, this cross also belongs to use too. Arohamai.

[twinkl333]

Willie your an inspiration to all Maori and New Zealanders

[LordWoolley]

Anyone who says this guy is not deserving of the VC or any top award is crazy. He has courage and valor beyond most people. THANK YOU for your courage and sacrifice. If you ever make it to America I want to shake your hand and buy you a few pints.

[bobgladstone]

Well done Willie a military award well deserved.

thanks for posting

Please check out my VC tributes and my online petition for VC Day

Thanks

[swanningaround]

On further investigation, I find that the MOH is now becoming too difficult to get> There have only been seven awarded since Vietnam, all of them posthumously!! The most common way to get it is to be killed while jumping on a live grenade to save your mates. From what I have researched, it is now a hell of a lot more difficult to get the MOH than the VC.

[anzac23]

mean maori mean

[dannysuru]

WOOHOOO

[dannysuru]

ANOTHER BRAVE HUMBLE MAORI

SHOT BRO

[militiaman7]

This fella sounds like a fuckin top bloke! seems to be very softly spoken, and polite! congrates mate!! keep up the good work!

[souljives]

shot ow bay, when you cooking us all a boil up!

[chazzlerazzle42]

NGARIMU...MANAHI...APIATA...Ng­a toa Maori o te Ao

Tuturu whakamoa

Kia tina TINA!!!

Haumi e, hui e

Taiki e!!!!

[swanningaround]

Well done, Willie. You are up there with other VC heroes like Noel Chavasse and Guy Gibson, not to forget the great American heroes like Douglas McArthur, Alvin York and Audie Murphy who earned the MOH, the American VC.

[GillianTom]

The MOH is not the same in any way to a VC. It's not as hard to get as the VC.

[swanningaround]

Gillian. Like the VC, the MOH has varied in quality. Obviously, the 22 MOHs awarded during the Wounded Knee Massacre are an insult to this fine award, as are many of the VCs awarded during the Indian uprising. During the First World War, the standard required to get either award was probably much higher than now. Have a look at what Albert Jacka VC or Alvin York MOH had to do and you will see what I mean. I think that the awards are identical. To get the MOH now requires great great courage.

[GillianTom]

It's Tom. My point is that you need to be a citizen of a commonwealth nation,not of a rebellious country. I'm not saying that the valour and courage that the people who earned both awards isn't the same, it's just America is not Britain.

[buttsyrc8]

Well done Willie!

The VC is the ultimate decoration and is well deserved for this man.

A true fighter!

[GianniGivarche]

Soldiers period have the biggest balls in the world. And these men should be the people earning what doctors earn.

[gnumannen]

I thought they did, when they did when they were on international operations? In Norway, the special forces can earn about 150 000 dollars or more a year, depending on how many operations they attend.

Do they get paid less in New Zealand?

[DaredToDream]

Willie Apiata u have ended up back in my mailbox thru green632 below. Again your r a great man and great role model to the young males. U R AWESOME!

[teebabe74]

Willie is THE MAN! He stays at the back of my dads when he goes home. His a truely humble man. It was a pleasure being at your V.C celebration. I loved every moment of it...

[JDHyatt1989]

did the queen present the award?

[honeheke4173]

too much bro your a gr8 man

[winnah2314]

Willie you epitomize what it means to be a true New Zealander. You make us proud! If only everyone in NZ were more like you, you are an inspiring light to us all. Congrats and hope u all the best for the future.

[S4Sallynz]

What a brilliant role model for our young men of New Zealand to aspire to. Every NewZealander should be proud of this man whether we be Maori or Pakeha.

I think i cried through the entire documentary 'Reluctant Heroe' on ANZAC DAY.

God Bless you and Keep You Safe Willie.

[swanningaround]

Cpl. Apiata's heroism reminds me of the Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse VC and bar, who got his double VC for repeatedly saving men under heavy fire. To me Chavasse is the greatest VC hero ever. There is something special about men who save their comrades in battle. Cpl. Apiata's deeds are certainly deserving of the VC.

[bedpansniper]

"We happy band, we Band of Brothers"

[deltaecho1]

NZ SAS, one of the toughest selection programs I've ever seen. Much respect to this trooper.

[DaredToDream]

Awesome Willie you and my uncle Hane Manahi are HEROES.....

Great Role Model for the young fellas.

Heres to the Kiwi's..

[greeny632]

he didnt even survive!

[tearawa61]

Awesome a real Kiwi Hero we are all proud of you and your colleagues in the NZ SAS and in the Armed Services God bless you all.

[heywoodejerblowme]

Great job Willy.We are so proud of you.What a very humble man in the face of what he has achieved.A great SAS man and a wonderful KIWI.Good on yer mate.

[spicault]

I'm a Kiwi expat who has been living in Germany for many years. It's great to see that this man has brought honour and distinction to himself and the country. I have often met people in Greece who remember the boys with the lemon squeezers who had come to their country to defend it against the German invaders, and they speak of them with admiration. So I'm proud to be a NZer and Corporal Apiata also makes me feel proud.

[cashburt1985]

What an awesome fulla. Good for you bro and keep up the good work!

[scottcorlett]

What an amazing man, a true blue kiwi. And well done simon, this is a truely great piece of Journalism.

[cosmolilly]

From a Canadiab who has studied every VC ever won, and fortunate to have met several holders: Well done Corporal I'm proud of your achivement and like everyone who ever wore a uniform, my sincere congratulations!

Bob Little

Grand Bay-Westfield

New Brunswick, CANADA

[Ivanhoe2]

Many congratulations from an Englishman, Corporal Apiata VC. We salute you !!

[siatethespartan]

His achievements has become my inspirations. His humility has earned him my respect. The meek shall inherit the earth. Good on ya Willy

[Eodcoin]

Respect! What a top guy...

[willytheekid]

True hero's all of them, and an example of a true kiwi.

Thank you willy and the men of NZSAS, you do so much, and yet ask for so little.

you all earned that medal....and the respect of every kiwi planet at the same time.

one nation one people, God zone, aotearoa, New Zealand proud!

[m1a8u7i]

You're truely the best bro! A true role model and inspirational for all NZers!

You have done so well for Maoridom and I'm so proud of you! May you have tremendous endeavour and success for the future! If you're in our area, you're always welcome to come over for a boil up brother!

[KERE23]

Kapai Bro and well deserved - Coffee? my shout next time your in!

[Kiwigrunt]

Thankyou Corporal Willy apiata, you have re affirmed my faith in the Kiwi Spirit!

[Kiwigal07]

Kia ora, My whanau and I (from Tauranga) really wanted to come to Te Kaha yesterday to share in the celebration of your award and homecoming - but we were a bit shy - In any case our thoughts and heart were with you on your big day - we just wanted you to know that we are very proud for you and your whanau. Arohanui.

[aarhap]

This man is my idol, and I met him yesterday when he came to my school for the end of leadership week.

He is just as humble and light spoken in real life as he is on TV.

[braakenburg]

The VC in it's simplicity shows an enormous strength. The bordeaux colour of it's ribbon tells more than words. It doesn't need glitter and glamour, just as the ones who wear it and actions they have done. Salute to the very few!!

[goodkiwilad]

Kia ora brother. We're proud of you.

[sonrise]

Awesome Bro! first kiwi to win since world war two.

You make me proud to be A New Zealander ;-)

[coletetuhipuru]

mean maori mean, you do maori, and aotearoa proud, awesome!!!!

[jaseman003]

Well done Willy

[kiwigoldmine]

I solute you my friend!!

[nighthawk006]

Good onya Willy!