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# Face of the Day
- URL: https://goodoil.news/face-of-the-day-2005/
- Published: 2019-07-15T18:30:21.000Z
- Updated: 2019-07-18T06:14:40.000Z
- Author: Juana Atkins
- Tags: Blog, NZ, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2024-07-17 04:14

> An 88-year-old Tauranga Corporal has received an Australian unit citation for gallantry in Vietnam.  
> The award was presented to Corporal Erik Kristensen from Colonel Tenby at the 6th Hauraki Battalion’s 121st birthday in Tauranga.

> Erik was a solder with the Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and was attached to 161 Battery during the period of their deployment to Vietnam.  
> The award is a fitting tribute to a Unit with a long history of operational performance, says Tenby.  
> “It was a huge honour to present Corporal Kristensen with a pin to the Unit Citation awarded to the soldiers of 161 Battery, Royal NZ Artillery, for their gallantry in Vietnam.  
>  
> \[…\] The **Unit Citation** affects 120 members of 161 Battery who participated in the Battles of Coral and Balmoral in Vietnam between May 12 and June 6 1968, together with other New Zealand Armed Forces personnel directly involved in one or both battles.  
>  
>  
> This is **the first time an Australian Unit Citation for gallantry has ever been awarded to a New Zealand military Unit.**  
> The Battles of Coral and Balmoral were among the largest and most protracted fought by the Australian Task Force in the Vietnam War.   
> “The 161 Battery Gunners received high praise for their rate of fire and rounds-on-target accuracy provided at critical stages of attacks on the Australian battalion positions,” says Tenby.  
>  
>  
> [Newsie](https://newsie.co.nz/news/156295-tauranga-soldier-receives-gallantry-citation.html?ref=goodoil.news)

My father was a gunner in 161 Battery. I look forward to seeing this citation added to his collection of medals.