WEEL, John Francis
J55553, Warrant Officer Class 2, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery
CITATIONNew Zealand Distinguished Service DecorationNew Year Honors List 2009Warrant Officer Class Two WEEL was travelling on a United States Aid helicopter that crashed in adverse weather conditions west of Bamyan inAfghanistan on 16 January 2008. Immediately following the crash, he quickly accounted for the crew and other passengers, establishing priorities forthe extraction of personnel from the wrecked airframe and for the treatment of those who had been injured. He then supervised the establishment ofcommunication with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team Base. His leadership and calm demeanour were key components inreassuring his fellow passengers and the crew while they recovered from the effects of shock after the crash and by ensuring their physical conditiondid not worsen by focussing efforts to protect themselves against the extreme cold weather. Once a decision was made that the party should moveto a nearby village, he organised the safe extraction from the crash site. On arrival at the village, the rescue team had not arrived so he organisedsecurity measures until the rescue had been completed.KNOWN AWARDS
New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration
New Zealand Operational Service Medal
New Zealand General Service Medal Afghanistan (Primary)
New Zealand Defence Service Medal
NOTES
Born
Died
THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT
