WILSON, Christopher James

Warrant Officer Class One, Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of York’s Own)

CITATION

Distinguished Service Decoration

Queen's Birthday Honours List 2012

Warrant Officer Class One WILSON served in Afghanistan with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team from April to October

2010. His duty as Patrol Liaison Officer was to establish a network of relationships with both local government representatives and

community leaders in the Kahmard and Sayghan districts of Bamyan province, to promote reconstruction efforts in governance,

development and security. In June and July, the local communities where he worked were devastated by the worst flooding in living

memory. His careful management of scarce resources resulted in significant and much needed relief being provided to the local

population. On 3 August, his Patrol Commander (Lieutenant O’DONNELL) was killed in an ambush. He had to take immediate

command of the patrol, win the resulting fire fight (during which actions by the crew members of the ambushed vehicle and another

patrol member who went forward to affect their rescue, have been recognised by gallantry awards) and adopt a defensive position until

the arrival of a supporting force. He then also assumed command of the patrol, providing the leadership and guidance necessary for

the young soldiers to come to terms with what had been a traumatic event, without losing operational integrity, at a time when security

was becoming of increasing concern.

KNOWN AWARDS

New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration

New Zealand Operational Service Medal

New Zealand General Service Medal (Non warlike)

United Nations Special Service Medal

New Zealand East Timor Medal

United Nations Medal (UNTAET)

NATO Medal

New Zealand General Service Medal (Afghan Primary)

New Zealand Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal

New Zealand Defence Service Medal

Regular

NOTES

Born

Died

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT