The new recipient of the second highest award for gallantry to recognise acts of bravery has a long Maori military history.
Three soldiers from the New Zealand Defence Force were decorated on Tuesday for their involvement in trying to help their patrol commander who was killed in an insurgent attack in Afghanistan last year.
They received their awards from the Governor General, and former Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae.
Lance Corporal Allister Baker and Corporal Matthew Ball received the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration.
While Corporal Albert Moore was awarded the New Zealand Gallantry Star, which is a level below the Victoria Cross, and one above the Gallantry Decoration.
He says his grandfather who died recently, was a soldier in the 28th Maori Battalion.
