Medal theft stuns Vietnam war veteran

The Northern Advocate: Medal theft stuns Vietnam war veteran

John Waetford bravely fought in the jungles of Vietnam. But the former soldier has been devastated by the theft of the four medals awarded to him for his tour of duty after he returned to Whangarei for a family reunion and to march in the Anzac Day dawn parade.

Within hours of stopping in Whangarei all his possessions were stolen by a thief who preyed on the 62-year-old's mistake.

Mr Waetford, visiting from Australia, had just finished shopping at Pak'nSave on Wednesday about 11am when he dashed back into the supermarket for items he had forgotten, inadvertently leaving his keys hanging from the boot.

An opportunistic thief drove away with the groceries and everything Mr Waetford had brought for his New Zealand trip.

He went to Whangarei police to report the theft and spent hours driving around the city suburbs with a family member looking for the dark green Honda Ascot four-door car.

The vehicle contained his medals and memorabilia he had packed for a special trip to the battle grounds of Vietnam after the Anzac celebrations.

It will be his first trip back after spending a year as a private and lead scout with the Victor 5 Company as a 21-year-old in the early 1970s.

The theft has left him devastated and pleading for the return of his war medals.

"Everything is gone, even the suit I was going to wear for the dawn parade.

Advertisement
But it's the medals that are the most precious," said Mr Waetford, who has links with Whananaki.

Family photos he had bought with him for the Easter weekend Waetford reunion at Matapouri were among other items taken.

"It's certainly put a damper on the trip. The beer doesn't taste that sweet at all."

Also in the stolen car was a black suitcase with red trim, a black sports bag with Saudi Arabia printed on it, a video camera, camera, binoculars and duty-free alcohol. A new data projector was also stolen.

The four service medals - one in the shape of a cross and the others round - were mounted on a strip. The ribbons were coloured green and white, yellow and red, orange and blue and black and white. The medals were engraved on the rim with Mr Waetford's name.

"These are the original medals," he said. "Just return these precious things."

Mr Waetford said he would still march in Whangarei's dawn parade on Monday.

He will join his wife in Auckland before flying to Vietnam on April 30 with about 70 veterans and family members for a 10-day tour including trips to areas in which he fought.

Mr Waetford's niece, Cushla Smith, appealed to the thief: "Show some compassion to John and for his services to the country by returning the car and medals. It would enable him to enjoy his time here in New Zealand and his first trip back to Vietnam with his unit."

If you can help Mr Waetford and know anything about this theft contact Whangarei Police on 09 430 4500