KEY POINTS:
Private Jonathon Fatu didn't see the explosion, but he certainly felt it. The 22-year-old member of the Royal New Zealand Infantry was helping to put gear away after a day of live-firing exercises, and turned his back just at the right time.
"The second I turned, the explosion
went off," says Private Fatu.
"I didn't see it, but it was loud and I felt the force of it. It was getting dark and I had to take control of the situation, aiding the ones that were badly hurt."
Private Fatu has been honoured with a New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration for saving two colleagues, including his platoon sergeant, following the blast on May 17 last year.
He had spent the day in the Waiouru Training Area learning how to advance on the enemy, but finished it under friendly fire after an accidental explosion left two in a life-threatening state, and two others with moderate injuries.
As soon as it occurred, he raced to his platoon sergeant, whose throat had been sliced by shrapnel.
"He couldn't breathe at all. He'd got hit in the throat and it was life-threatening, the blood pouring out his neck."
Private Fatu, trained as a combat life saver, moved him on to his hands and knees, in order to give his lungs some breathing space.
"I just got him in a position where the blood wouldn't fill up his lungs and make it hard for him to breathe. It makes him cough out the blood.
"I hadn't been taught that, but I knew out of common sense he didn't want the blood to sit in his lungs."
As others who heard the explosion ran to the aid of the injured, Private Fatu went to a friend hit by the full force of the blast.
"The blast had lacerated both legs. He was really torn up and there was blood everywhere and I couldn't really see where he was bleeding from, so I just applied pressure with my hands to the main arteries where it was needed."
While he slowed the bleeding, he checked his friend for other life-threatening injuries.
"Not long after that, the medics arrived and we started working together."
Private Fatu kept his friend company, keeping him conscious and encouraging him, while taking notes for the medics.
He stayed by his side until he was safely in Waiouru Hospital.
The platoon sergeant and his friend were then flown by helicopter to Palmerston North Hospital. Three of the four made a full recovery. Private Fatu's friend lost a leg, but has recovered enough to return to work.
Private Fatu could not comment on how the explosion happened, or what it was, as it was still under investigation. He is proud to receive the accolade, but shrugs off his heroism and courage as nothing extraordinary.
"I did what I needed to do. I would expect it of anyone."
