Special parade for farewell
Sunlight glinting off highly polished buttons and boots. 800 soldiers perf o r m ing b r i g a d e drills in slow and quick time in perfect unison. This was the scene at a special p a rade held at the Army Training Group Waiouru last week, to farewell the Army's Chief of General Staff M a j o r General John Mace, Maj. Gen. Mace takes up his new appointment as Chief of Defence Staff in charge of Army, Naval and Airforce Defence on 1 December. The fuil contingent of units from ATG turned out in force iri full military regalia for the farewell. Maj. Gen. Mace commended the assembly on their bearing, turnout and drill. "You (ATG) are the hardest worked group in the Army ... the standard has always been a very good example to the Army," he said. He then presented a number of top awards to outstanding commissioned officers for their services to the military. Meritorious Service Medals (MSM) were awarded to WOl P.B. O'Connor RNZA and WOl P. McKeaney RNZE, both long-serving
officers with distinguished conduct records. Armed Forces Awards went to Maj. P.S. Southwell RNZA, Maj. J. Mataere RNZIR and Capt. P.T. Pitts RNZPC. Long Service and Good Conduct Medals were awarded to W02 E.K. Naden RNZA, W02 B.S. Francis RNZA and SSgt P.J. Ball RNZIR. Chief of General Staff Commendations were awarded to two men. Maj.
J. Garnett received his award for his involvement with the organisation of this year's Desert Fair which was described as an enormous undertaking for one man. Cpl. D.S. Johnston received his for an act of br avery while on active duty as a chef at Antartica. Cpl Johnston volunteered his services to recover the bodies of two American researchers at the bottom of
a 75 foot crevasse. Cpl Johnston worked in treacherous conditions on the end of a rope lowered into the crevasse. Maj. Gen. Mace recognised the contributions made by all recipients of awards and praised the efforts made by them and their families.
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Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 25, 17 November 1987, Page 3
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345Special parade for farewell Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 25, 17 November 1987, Page 3
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