KEY POINTS:
The first step towards any soldier receiving a medal is for the person nominating him or her for the decoration to fill out an MD592 form.
However, the MD592 form and supporting paperwork that landed in late 2004 on the desk of the then Defence Force chief Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson was like no file seen since World War II.
It was a nomination for the Victoria Cross, the Commonwealth's highest award for military bravery.
"There is no one living in New Zealand who has actually made a recommendation for a VC before, so it was interesting," said Air Marshal Ferguson, who is now director of the Government Communications Security Bureau.
The story of outstanding courage outlined on paper, and through subsequent interviews with witnesses to Corporal Willy Apiata saving his comrade's life, left Air Marshal Ferguson with no doubts the nominee met the criteria for him to become the first New Zealander to receive the Victoria Cross for more than 60 years - and just the 14th recipient in the world since World War II ended.
The Victoria Cross of New Zealand was instituted in 1999, as part of an overhaul of the medals system. While it replaced the British Victoria Cross, its medal and ribbon remain the same.
It is awarded for "most conspicuous gallantry, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour, self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy or of belligerents".
While Air Marshal Ferguson was convinced from the beginning that Corporal Apiata's actions merited his joining just 21 other New Zealand recipients of the VC, he is understood to have consulted military experts before making his recommendation to Defence Minister Phil Goff.
Mr Goff also consulted widely about the awarding of a VC, including asking international experts and Buckingham Palace officials.
"The unanimous response that I received was that this was an act which definitely merited the award of a Victoria Cross," Mr Goff said.
The Victoria Cross can be awarded only by the Queen, and only on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Helen Clark became aware of the incident in late 2004, and took a strong interest in the citation process.
Several factors contributed to the gap between the 2004 attack and yesterday's VC announcement, including the fact that the Afghanistan campaign does not have the status of an official war, and the covert nature of SAS operations.
Corporal Apiata will receive his VC at a ceremony this month.
