NZ soldier awarded highest honour for bravery

WELLINGTON, July 2 (Reuters) A New Zealand soldier has become the first person since World War Two to be awarded the country's highest honour for bravery, after a daring rescue of a wounded comrade while serving in Afghanistan in 2004.

Corporal Bill Apiata of the New Zealand Special Air Service (SAS) was given the Victoria Cross for New Zealand.

The medal is based on Britain's Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for British soldiers.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said Apiata, 35, was awarded the medal for carrying a severely wounded soldier across open ground while coming under heavy fire.

Apiata's patrol came under attack from machine gun and grenade fire when it had taken cover for the night, setting two vehicles on fire, his citation notice said.

During the fight, Apiata found himself isolated with two of his comrades, one of whom was badly wounded from shrapnel.

Apiata carried his wounded comrade 70 metres to where the rest of his patrol had taken cover, despite being clearly visible by the light of the burning vehicles.

''This brave action saved his comrade's life,'' Clark said in a statement.

There are 22 New Zealand soldiers who have been awarded the British Victoria Cross, the last of which was in 1946 for service in World War Two.

New Zealand separated its system of honours and awards from Britain's in 1999, creating the new award.

Like New Zealand, fellow Commonwealth countries Australia and Canada have established their own version of the British Victoria Cross.

Three other awards for bravery were handed out to SAS soldiers for service in Afghanistan.

Reuters KK VP0658