NGATAI, Sean Anthony

S1001114, Corporal, Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of York’s Own)

CITATION

New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration

New Year Honours List 2008

Corporal NGATAI deployed to Timor Leste from November 2006 to May 2007, as part of the NZDF contribution to the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF).  His role was to provide integral logistic support to Victor Company, 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.  His workload effectively doubled when another store man returned to New Zealand without replacement.  Due to the dispersed nature of the tactical operations being conducted by Victor Company, he spent significant portions of his day negotiating the volatile suburbs of Dili, in order to ensure that essential logistic supplies reached the forward infantry sections as they conducted patrols and operations throughout the city.  On a number of occasions, he was also required to coordinate New Zealand specific logistic support to Victor Company elements deployed outside Dili.  This required complex liaison with other logistic elements of the ISF to ensure the platoons received their expected equipment and stores.  He was persistent in following up outstanding stores issues in an effort to make life more comfortable for his comrades, no matter how insignificant the issue appeared.  His provision of timely and effective support greatly contributed to the operational accomplishments of Victor Company in Timor Leste.

KNOWN AWARDS

New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration

New Zealand Operational Service Medal

New Zealand General Service Medal Timor Leste

NOTES

Born

Died

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT