John Weel
Warrant Officer Class Two John Weel, of Palmerston North, received the Distinguished Service Decoration on 24 March 2009 for services to the New Zealand Defence Force. On 16 January 2008, Warrant Officer Weel was travelling on a United States aid helicopter that crashed west of Bamyan in Afghanistan due to bad weather. He quickly accounted for the crew and other passengers, organised their rescue from the wrecked airframe and the treatment for the injured. He also ensured the victims' physical condition did not worsen by taking steps to protect them against the cold weather. His calm manner reassured his fellow passengers and crew while they recovered from the effects of shock after the crash. Warrant Officer Weel then organised a safe evacuation from the crash site to a nearby village and he organised security at the village until the rescue team arrived.