KEY POINTS:
He parachuted into the Borneo jungle, lived among headhunter tribesmen, gathered vital intelligence, killed Japanese soldiers, and survived to tell the tale.
But Frank Wigzell's incredible wartime operation was so secretive that no record appeared in Army papers.
After a long battle the former elite soldier, now 85, has finally received recognition in the form of a certificate for his role in a special operations unit in Japanese-occupied Borneo during World War II.
But the recognition the Aucklander has sought for so long has not come from New Zealand but from Australia.
"After 61 years, we were all expecting to go to our graves and not be recognised," said the Murrays Bay resident.
"We've only been accepted by the Australians at the present stage ... at least we are being recognised."
Mr Wigzell was part of a commando unit called Z Special Unit attached to the Australian Army and pre-dating the SAS (Special Air Service).
It was so secretive, no record of its existence appeared on Army records.
The official secrecy remained in place for 40 years before being lifted in 1986.
The 22 New Zealanders who served with the unit have never been officially recognised by New Zealand governments or the Defence Force. Only five of the 22 are still alive today.
In 2002, a memorial for the men (including Mr Wigzell's mate, Ernie Myers of Invercargill, who was captured, tortured and beheaded by the Japanese) was built at the SAS barracks in Papakura.
Mr Wigzell is happy he and his four former comrades have been acknowledged with a Certificate of Appreciation - especially given 2006 was the Year of the Veteran.
Australia's Z Special Unit soldiers have been recognised by their Government with a special medal for their services. Several years ago, Mr Wigzell and three other New Zealand Z Special Unit soldiers received the Australian Front Line Medal - a medal to which the Australian Z Special Unit soldiers were entitled.
The Certificate of Appreciation, which was signed by Australian Prime Minister John Howard, was presented to Mr Wigzell on December 11 in front of the memorial by members of the Australian High Commission.
Mr Wigzell, who has written a book about the Z Special Unit, was only 21 when he and Mr Myers parachuted into central Borneo.
"Only two of us parachuted into occupied territories.
"Ernie Myers was the second one away ... he was captured after the third day."
Mr Wigzell said the official recognition from Australia wasn't expected at all.
"Being recognised after 61 years is unheard of ... we didn't expect it."
