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US service medal for Massey soldier

Monday 28 November 2011, 4:37PM

By Massey University

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Lieutenant Colonel Oiroa Kaihau (left) is presented with the Meritorious Service Medal by United States Marine Corps General Peter Talleri.
Lieutenant Colonel Oiroa Kaihau (left) is presented with the Meritorious Service Medal by United States Marine Corps General Peter Talleri. Credit: Massey University

Massey staff member Oiroa Kaihau has been presented with a United States Meritorious Service Medal for his work in Afghanistan with the New Zealand Defence Force in 2009.

Mr Kaihau was the New Zealand Army's the senior officer co-ordinating logistics for the New Zealand forces in Afghanistan,

United States Marine Corps General Peter Talleri presented the medal at Defence House, the force headquarters, during a recent visit to Wellington.

Mr Kaihau, who was a regular force lieutenant colonel and now holds the same rank in the part-time Territorial Force, said he did not think his efforts required special recognition. "I was just satisfied that as a team we all did a good job and we all came home."

A Master of Philosophy (Defence and Strategic Studies) graduate in 2006, he now works as part of a project team in the Centre for Defence and Security Studies responsible for the development and delivery of postgraduate education to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.