Warrant Officer Class One Christopher Wilson, DSD, for services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Warrant Officer Class One Wilson served in Afghanistan with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team from April to October 2010. His duty as Patrol Liaison Officer was to establish a network of relationships with both local government representatives and community leaders in the Kahmard and Sayghan districts of Bamyan province, to promote reconstruction efforts in governance, development and security. In June and July, the local communities where he worked were devastated by the worst flooding in living memory. His careful management of scarce resources resulted in significant relief being provided to the local population. On 3 August, his Patrol Commander (Lieutenant O’Donnell) was killed in an ambush. He had to take immediate command of the patrol, winning the resulting fire fight, and adopt a defensive position until the arrival of a supporting force. In assuming command of the patrol, he provided the leadership and guidance necessary for the soldiers involved to come to terms with a traumatic event without losing operational integrity.