Willie Apiata

Quick Facts

Full Name	Willie Apiata
Occupation	Armed Force Officer
Date Of Birth	Jun 28, 1972(1972-06-28)
Age	52
Birthplace	Mangakino
Country	New Zealand
Birth City	Waikato
Horoscope	Cancer

Willie Apiata Biography

Willie Apiata is one of the most popular and richest Armed Force Officer who was born on June 28, 1972 in Mangakino, Waikato, New Zealand.

Bill Henry “Willie” Apiata, VC (born 28 June 1972) is a former corporal in the New Zealand Special Air Service, who became the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. He received the award on 2 July 2007 for bravery under fire during the War in Afghanistan in 2004, in which he carried a gravely wounded comrade across a battlefield, under fire, to safety.

He enlisted in the New Zealand Army on 6 October 1989 in the Territorial Force Hauraki Regiment of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. He unsuccessfully attempted to join the Special Air Service (SAS) in 1996. From July 2000 to April 2001 he served in East Timor as a member of New Zealand’s third Battalion Group as part of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor. On his return he became a full-time soldier. His second attempt to join the SAS in November 2001 was successful.

Willie Apiata Net Worth

Willie Apiata is one of the richest Armed Force Officer from New Zealand. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Willie Apiata 's net worth $5 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)

Apiata is the only recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand, as opposed to the British Victoria Cross previously awarded. There are no living New Zealand recipients of the Victoria Cross, which was last awarded to a New Zealander for actions in the Second World War. Between 1864 and 1943, 21 members of the New Zealand forces were awarded the Victoria Cross including Captain Charles Upham, awarded a Bar to the Victoria Cross in 1945 for gallantry in Egypt in 1942.

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

Willie Apiata height Not available right now. Johan weight Not Known & body measurements will update soon.

Who is Willie Apiata Dating?

According to our records, Willie Apiata married to Sade Waikato. As of December 1, 2023, Willie Apiata’s is not dating anyone.

Relationships Record : We have no records of past relationships for Willie Apiata. You may help us to build the dating records for Willie Apiata!

In April 2008, Apiata donated his Victoria Cross of New Zealand medal to the NZSAS Trust, so that “the medal is protected for future generations”. The medal remains available to Apiata and his family to wear.

Facts & Trivia

Johan Ranked on the list of most popular Armed Force Officer. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in New Zealand. Willie Apiata celebrates birthday on June 28 of every year.

Apiata was re-deployed to Afghanistan with the NZSAS in 2009 when the New Zealand government opted to return troops to that country. Responding in the aftermath of the January 2010 attacks in Kabul, Apiata was photographed by French photojournalist Philip Poupin. Poupin, who did not know Apiata, photographed Apiata and two companions as they were leaving the “thick of the fight” because “They looked like foreign troops and they were tall and had a specific face, they looked tough and strong”. One photo was widely reproduced in New Zealand newspapers, prompting Prime Minister John Key to publicly acknowledge that Apiata was one of the soldiers depicted. The publication has also reopened the debate on the publication of images identifying New Zealand Special Forces personnel with some concerns that in doing so Apiata could become a target for insurgents.

What did Willie Apiata do?

Bill (Willie) Apiata VC is the first, and so far only, recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand, which was instituted in 1999 to replace the British Victoria Cross. He earned the award for rescuing a wounded comrade under fire in Afghanistan in 2004.

How did Willie Apiata win his VC?

He received the award on 2 July 2007 for bravery under fire during the War in Afghanistan in 2004 , in which he carried a gravely wounded comrade across a battlefield, under fire, to safety.

Why is Willie apiata a hero?

In 2007 Willie Apiata, of the NZ Army’s elite SAS unit, was awarded the Victoria Cross for carrying a wounded soldier to safety while under fire in Afghanistan.

Why did Willie apiata leave the army?

Prime Minister John Key today revealed Apiata was leaving the Special Air Service to work for the youth charity High Wire Trust. In a statement, Apiata confirmed his departure, saying he was leaving ” to pursue my goals and to grow with my family ”. IN ACTION: Corporal Willie Apiata during combat in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Who is Willie apiata married to?

Sade Waikato