Leon Kristopher Smith

Army career Smith enlisted into the Territorial Force of the New Zealand Army on 19 August 2005 as a rifleman, and qualified on the NZSAS selection course in 2006. After completing further training he was accepted and 'badged' into the NZSAS on 8 September 2008 as a fully qualified SAS Operator, he had recently returned after conducting training in the United Kingdom with other international special forces and had received additional training in advanced patrol paramedic techniques. Smith was operationally experienced having first served in Afghanistan in 2010, and spent almost 11 out of the previous 24 months before his death on operations. He was promoted to the substantive rank of lance corporal on 28 January 2011. The NZSAS held a funeral service for Smith at Papakura Military Camp on 6 October 2011, which was attended by approximately 300 people, including the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Governor-General of New Zealand and members of the military. A family funeral was held on 7 October 2011 at the St Johns Anglican Church, Johnsonville, Wellington before he was interred at the Whenua Tapu Cemetery, Porirua.

In the Special Honours List of 20 April 2013, it was announced that Smith had also posthumously been awarded the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration for his act of gallantry.

On 2 April 2012 the family of Leon Smith were presented with the New Zealand Memorial Cross by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, in recognition "that it is not only the soldiers themselves that make sacrifices in the service of New Zealand, but also their families".

Medal ribbons Smith's medal ribbons, as they would appear on the left breast of his uniform, are:

From left: The New Zealand Gallantry Decoration, the New Zealand Operational Service Medal, the New Zealand General Service Medal for Afghanistan, the NATO Medal (for service with ISAF) and the New Zealand Defence Service Medal.

Citation The citation for The New Zealand Gallantry Decoration reads: