THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

RANGI Thomas Hippolite

Royal New Zealand Air Force

213087, Staff Sergeant, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RF).

CITATION

British Empire Medal

Gazetted Birthday Honours 1970.

Staff Sergeant Rangi served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force from May 1946 until April 1955. He enlisted in the NZ Army Regular Force on 4th September 1957. He served in Malaya from 1960 to 1961 as an Infantryman, followed this with a period as an instructor at the Outward Bound School before returning to Malaysia for further service in 1965 to 1966. For sixteen months of his second tour in Malaysia Staff Sergeant Rangi was attached to the Jungle Warfare School where he was concerned with the training of British, Australian, New Zealand and Ghurkha battalions for service in Borneo.

Staff Sergeant Rangi was posted to Vietnam in November 1968 with Whisky Two Company, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. Staff Sergeant Rangi was the Company Quartermaster Sergeant for eighteen months, twelve of which he spent on active service in Vietnam. Because of the nature of operations in this country Staff Sergeant Rangi’s duties were many and various: the command of soldiers remaining in the base; the supervision and maintenance of the company lines; and the resupply of the company in the field. As the senior rank in base, Staff Sergeant Rangi had to represent his company commander on many occasions.

Staff Sergeant Rangi is a diligent and conscientious non-commissioned officer with the highest personal standards. He carried out all his duties cheerfully and without fuss, and everything he undertook was marked by competence and efficiency. His subordinates worked willingly for him throughout his tour and his tact, quiet determination and unfailing courtesy were a source of admiration by his superior officers.

In an unassuming way Staff Sergeant Rangi, in three tours of duty in the Far East, has set a standard of performance of duty for all to emulate. He has won the admiration and respect of all with whom he works and his outstanding example, zeal and dedication has brought great credit to the New Zealand Army overseas.

KNOWN AWARDS

British Empire Medal (Military)

New Zealand Operational Service Medal

Queen's Korea Medal

United Nations Medal

Korea

General Service Medal

Malaya, Malay Peninsula

Queen's Vietnam Medal

New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Non Warlike)

Korea 1954-57

New Zealand Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

Korean War Medal

Vietnam Star

1960

NOTES

Born 21 May 1928 New Zealand

Died 8 June 2013 Wellington, New Zealand

Buried Makara Cemetery, Wellington [Roman Cath 2, Plot 21]