Far North soldier awarded Defence Meritorious Service Medal for bravery in Iraq
27 Apr, 2021 05:00 PM
4 minutes to read
Corporal Charles Douglas Munns-Everitt - awarded for outstanding military professionalism and leadership in Iraq. Photo / supplied
Northern Advocate
When almost 30 rockets exploded at an Iraqi military camp last year Northland soldier Corporal Charles Douglas Munns-Everitt and two of his colleagues knew just what to do.
Now all three have been recognised for their bravery to save lives of injured coalition soldiers.
Munns-Everitt is one of three New Zealand soldiers to be decorated for his response to a rocket attack on Camp Taji, which killed two Americans and a British medic, and wounded 17 more, none of them New Zealanders, on March 10 last year.
After last year’s socially distanced Anzac Day, crowds returned to dawn services around the country
People gather at the Auckland War Memorial Museum to commemorate Anzac Day. Photograph: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images
People gather at the Auckland War Memorial Museum to commemorate Anzac Day. Photograph: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images
AustralianAssociatedPress
Sat 24 Apr 2021 20.48 EDT
A year after Covid cancelled all services, New Zealanders rose to acknowledge its servicemen and women on Anzac Day.
Last year the pandemic and level four lockdown left New Zealanders standing at their letterboxes in a socially distant tribute. The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, was joined by her partner and father at the bottom of Wellington’s Premier House driveway, listening to the Last Post silently before returning to the official residence.
Taji rocket attack: New Zealand Army soldiers honoured for bravery nzherald.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nzherald.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A medic from Auckland, Healey-Render – deployed as an Acting Sergeant – was one of the first people to reach many critically injured casualties and quickly assumed control of the medical situation. “We heard the rockets just after we had finished a step class in the gym. I found my evacuation team, and we drove down the road where we soon found our first casualty.”
NZDF/Supplied “This is when I realised the true nature of the situation,” she said. “There were multiple traumatic injuries including shrapnel wounds. I’ll admit it was scary – you never think there will be a day when you are literally running for your life.”
Taji rocket attack: New Zealand Army soldiers honoured for bravery
22 Apr, 2021 12:06 AM
4 minutes to read
A New Zealand Defence Force trainer instructing Iraqi soldiers in weapons firing positions in Taji, Iraq. Photo / File
A New Zealand Defence Force trainer instructing Iraqi soldiers in weapons firing positions in Taji, Iraq. Photo / File
NZ Herald
Three New Zealand Army officers faced with widespread carnage after almost 30 rockets exploded at an Iraqi military camp have been recognised for their bravery to save lives of injured coalition soldiers.
Corporal Charles Munns has been awarded the Defence Meritorious Service Medal, and Corporal Jessica Healey-Render and Private Maddison Van Sitter have both received a Chief of Defence Force Commendation for their fast response in the deadly rocket attack on the Taji Military Camp last March.