Second bravery award for soldier

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 420, 21 January 1992, Page 1

Second bravery award for soldier

By

Jo

Howie

Sergeant John Akurangi has been awarded the Queen's bravery and gallantry medal. This was announced before Christmas, and is his second bravery award. He was also presented the Charles Upham award in 1989 by Sir Paul Reeves, the Govcrnor General at the time. This award was presented for the same act of bravery. Sergeant Akurangi's citation reads, "On August 2 , 1988, Sergeant Akurangi was supervising a live grenade throwing practice for Territorial Force recruits at Waiouru. "A recruit and Sgt. Akurangi were standing side by side in a grenade throwing bay prcparing to throw the first of two

M67 high explosive fragmentation grenades. The recruit in the process of removing the safety bail from the grenade, accidentally loosened his grip which allowed the safety lever to be released arming the grenade which was due to explode in approximately four seconds. The recruit froze, holding the armed grenade. Sgt. Akurangi, immediately realising the danger, calmly asked for the grenade. When the recruit failed to respond, Sgt Akurangi forcibly removed the grenade from the recruit's hand and threw it out of the bay. He pushed the recruit to the ground and by calling "grenade" ensured that personnel in the adjoining bay were able to reTurn page 3

Bravery award

From page 1 act appropriately. The grenade exploded in the air at very close range to Sgt Akurangi's throwing bay and within a second of being thrown. His alertness, speed of reaction and presence of mind certainly saved both the recruit's and his own life." Sgt. Akurangi said he was just doing his job. He said while training recruits with live ammunition your mind is always very alert. He said the recruit just froze even after he had had two practice throws. He said he had made the recruit throw another live grenade after the incident, to rebuild his confidence.