The parents of fallen New Zealand soldier Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell have today received the New Zealand Memorial Cross.
The 28-year-old was killed in action when the Provincial Reconstruction Team patrol he was commanding was ambushed in Bamyan province on August 3, 2010.
The lead patrol vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device, killing Lieutenant O'Donnell and injuring Lance Corporal Allister Baker and Corporal Matthew Ball.
Governor-General Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae presented the New Zealand Memorial Cross to Lieutenant O'Donnell's parents, Mark and Mary-Anne, at Government House in Wellington this afternoon.
The cross has been awarded to the next of kin of all New Zealand service personnel killed on overseas operational deployments since the beginning of World War II.
