✨ Military Citation
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 136 — 11 DECEMBER 2015
Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
Citation
On 4 August 2012, KIWI Company of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team were tasked with assisting a unit of the Afghan National Directorate of Security near the village of Baghak. Shortly after midday nine of the company’s vehicles, spread out over 400 metres on a narrow road, came under heavy small arms fire from concealed insurgent positions on the high ground on both sides of the road. At the time the attack began, Lance Corporal Rory Malone was providing observation and cover at the front of his vehicle, as the Company Commander was being briefed at the same vehicle by one of his officers.
As the insurgents began firing at his vehicle from both the north-east and south-west, Lance Corporal Malone returned fire at the group that was firing from the south west. The Company Commander then sustained a gunshot wound and fell to the ground. Working with another officer, Lance Corporal Malone assisted in dragging the Company Commander to the rear of the vehicle where he might receive treatment for his wound. While the officer treated the Company Commander inside the vehicle, Lance Corporal Malone remained outside in a relatively exposed position providing cover and engaging insurgent positions to the south-west. It was at this time that he was struck in the right hip by a bullet that failed to penetrate his body armour.
As soon as the Company Commander had been stabilised, the driver of Lance Corporal Malone’s vehicle prepared to leave the contact site for the Casualty Clearing Post. There was no room in the rear of the vehicle, so Lance Corporal Malone had to move down the exposed west side of his vehicle to reach the passenger door. As he opened the door he was struck in the chest by an insurgent bullet and killed.
Throughout this incident, Lance Corporal Malone displayed both gallantry and comradeship in providing assistance and covering fire to his wounded Company Commander while in positions that were exposed to insurgent fire.
Dated at Wellington this 3rd day of December 2015.
MICHAEL WEBSTER, Clerk of the Executive Council.
PUBLISHED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
PRINTED BY BLUE STAR GROUP
newzealand.govt.nz
INTERNAL AFFAIRS
ISSN 0111-5650 (PRINT)
ISSN 1177-8415 (ONLINE)
NZ Gazette 2015, No 136
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🛡️ Citation for Lance Corporal Rory Malone
🛡️ Defence & Military3 December 2015
Gallantry, Afghanistan, New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team, Military Honours
- Rory Malone (Lance Corporal), Awarded citation for gallantry
- Michael Webster, Clerk of the Executive Council