16 November 2011

Maymorn Resident Awarded Bronze Star

Upper Hutt resident Major Rory McGregor has been awarded the Bronze Star, a top United States military medal, in recognition of his intelligence work in Afghanistan.

Major McGregor was among 25 New Zealand Defence Force personnel to receive US military medals from Major General Peter Talleri, of the US Marine Corps, at a special presentation in Defence House, Wellington, on Tuesday.

At the presentation Major General Talleri said, “The accomplishments of your Defence Force in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan are quite impressive. I’ve had the opportunity to read some of your award citations that you will be presented with today and I am truly humbled by the selfless acts and sacrifices that you have accomplished.”

Major McGregor says he feels extremely honoured to be awarded the Bronze Star, which is the fourth highest US combat award, and one General Talleri said was seldom given out.

Major McGregor joined the Army in 1986 and currently works in the Directorate of Strategic Commitments, Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force.

His career highlights include overseas tours in Bougainville, the Sinai, East Timor and in Kabul, Afghanistan.

This is the second time US medals have been awarded to NZ Defence Force personnel since Vietnam. The first was in 2006 when US Ambassador William McCormick presented the United States Bronze Star Medal to ten NZ Defence Force personnel and the United States Army Commendation Medal to seven NZ Defence Force personnel at a ceremony at the American Embassy.

Special permission had to be granted by the Governor-General for the defence personnel to wear the US medals on their uniform.

ENDS

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