EDGINTON, Captain Daniel Alexander
For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Captain Daniel Edginton served as a patrol commander with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan from April to October 2012.
Captain Edginton was responsible for the command of a small patrol on largely independent operations, working out of the Combat Outpost 'Romero' and Forward Patrol Base 'Malone-Durrer' in Do Abe town of Khamand District. His patrol was the first to occupy these forward bases and establish a New Zealand presence in the District. During its occupation, he tirelessly patrolled the high ground and approaches to Do Abe to deny easy access to insurgents. He developed a rapport with the key leaders in the surrounding villages, and with the Afghan National Security Forces and local security organisations. This included the Shura Heads of small towns in the region, as well as the representatives of Chinese mining interests who controlled much of the local economy. His efforts in developing these contacts were essential later in his tour when the Afghan Government decided to close down the mines in the area. The New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team was able to take a neutral stance during the crisis and violence was avoided. Captain Edginton's performance as the first independent patrol commander in this region of Bamyan Province set the conditions for the success of subsequent operations in the area.
SERVICEMAN G
For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Serviceman G served in Afghanistan in 2013 and 2014, during which time he made significant contributions to operations throughout the theatre. The actions of Serviceman G were of a superior standard and brought great credit to the New Zealand Defence Force.
MCGEE, Staff Sergeant Robert Victor Keith (Rob)
For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Staff Sergeant Rob McGee served as a patrol commander with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan from April to October 2012, as the only patrol commander who was not an Officer.
He was responsible for the command of a small patrol working within the Khamard District. On 4 August 2012, he commanded a patrol tasked with clearing insurgents from the side of a valley as part of the 'Battle of Baghak'. He showed excellent leadership under fire, suppressing a number of enemy positions and successfully extracting two of his men who had been injured in the firefight. One of his men was killed fighting from the patrol vehicles on the road and another was wounded. His patrol was attacked by insurgents at their Forward Patrol Base the following night after the battle. He exhibited excellent control of his patrol and successfully repelled the attack. On 19 August, a large Improvised Explosive Device on a District road detonated under the rear vehicle of his patrol, instantly killing the three occupants. He secured the scene and ensured the remaining members of the patrol remained focused. Staff Sergeant McGee demonstrated leadership beyond the level expected of his rank and displayed outstanding comradeship in dealing with the tragic loss of four comrades and attending to the well-being of the remaining members of his patrol.
BOLTON, Major Sean Denis
(For security reasons relating to the New Zealand Defence Force the identity of the recipient was not made public until 27 June 2024.)
For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Major Sean Bolton undertook several tours of duty in Afghanistan from 2009, throughout which he made significant contributions to several operations, including New Zealand's withdrawal from the theatre. The actions of Major Bolton were of a superior standard and brought great credit to the New Zealand Defence Force.
WASLEY, Lieutenant Simon Andrew
For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Lieutenant Simon Wasley was the Operations Officer for HMNZS Otago while patrolling north of Cape Reinga on 8 July 2014.
His ship received a 'mayday' distress call advising that a sailing boat had broken her rudder in heavy seas and was in danger of sinking with three persons on-board. HMNZS Otago responded to the distress call and established that rigid inflatable boats could not be safely launched in the prevailing sea conditions. A plan was formulated to recover the sail boat's crew from their life raft via Otago's pilot ladder with Lieutenant Walsey, a former operational diver, volunteering as a reserve rescue swimmer. As the sail boat's life raft was brought alongside Otago it was determined that the pilot ladder could not be used due to the excessive roll that the ship was experiencing. Lieutenant Wasley entered the water and made his way to the life raft. He guided the life raft to within five metres of Otago's bow and despite the rough conditions, Lieutenant Wasley fitted each of the sail boat's crew with a rescue recovery strop and ensured they were safely lifted clear of the water, one at a time. Given the conditions it was unlikely the crew would have been rescued without the professionalism, skill and courage displayed by Lieutenant Wasley.