Wha¯ nau recall forebear’s sacrifice
Soldier who put family first died at 21 serving in Vietnam
Peter Rauhihi would be 76 if he were alive today. He was just 21 when he died. In one of the last letters home, he told his brother Paul and sister-in-law Pamela he was bringing home toy trucks and planes for younger members of the wha¯nau and, after one final operation, he would be home for Christmas.
He couldn’t wait. There was a lot to look forward to. He was engaged to be married.
The last time they’d all seen him was when he returned from Malaysia for a week, en route to Vietnam. One of 10 siblings, he and the wha¯nau had celebrated a leaving party, 21st and engagement party combined.
Peter Rauhihi (Nga¯ti Whakatere) flew out to Vietnam the next morning.
Growing up, he was a prefect at Shannon School and a top rugby player, swimmer and runner.
He wasn’t perfect — as a youngster he was grounded for a month for stealing biscuits and drinks from the local shop — but he paid his dues and got on with it.
His story is told by his sister Miriama Rauhihi-Ness, who wrote a piece for A Soldier’s View, a book released in 2011 that honoured the soldiers in Victor 4 Company who served in Vietnam.
“Pete was a handsomelooking guy and had a big heart and loved his family, family was always first with Pete and we loved and continue to love him ake, ake tonu.
“Pete was a happy guy and always looked to the future.
“I can vividly remember the swimming competitions in the Manawatu¯ district and all the wha¯nau in the town would go and watch and barrack for our team, which was called the ‘Brown Bombers’.
“There were six of them in the team including Pete and they won this competition six times.
“In the 1960s in a country town, there were no jobs and no future for young men, so I guess that is why Pete joined the army.
“He went to Linton, then to Burnham and then Malaysia and Vietnam. He died in less than a year in Vietnam.
“It just all happened so fast. I will never forget his send-off party; it was also his engagement party. He was really happy and that’s how I will always remember Pete.
“The army photo I have of him reminds me of the last time I saw him sporting that handsome grin of his.”
The family heard Peter had died when his name was broadcast over the radio, along with that of Jerry Barrett, from the King Country.
None of them will forget where they were when they heard the news.
Peter’s sister-in-law Pamela Rauhihi, who was pregnant, went into labour under the shock and her fourth son, Brian, was born.
His father Peni had to fight hard to ensure his son’s body came home after being told it would not be returned. Peter finally arrived in Shannon two weeks after he died.
“It really took its toll on us all, when Dad went to pick Pete up from Wellington . . . there was ko¯ rero from Dad that he wanted to make sure it was Peter . . . it was so emotional; the whole town was so upset and sad for our wha¯nau and the Barrett wha¯ nau.”
Peter Rauhihi was not far from coming home when he was killed by a Claymore mine during a scouting exercise on November 24, 1969.
His mate Jerry Barrett was killed instantly. Rauhihi, who was badly wounded, made it to the helicopter but died shortly after arriving at a hospital in Vung Tau, near the then South Vietnamese capital Saigon.
Members of the Victor 4 group were a tight bunch. Those who survived Vietnam have a deep connection with the Rauhihi wha¯ nau.
Ani Skipper, Peter Rauhihi’s niece, said when they attended the tangi of fellow soldier Ray Davidson recently, they were welcomed by his family and friends.
“We lost an awesome uncle. He never had a family . . . we never got to know him. But we think he must have been an awesome guy from what we have learned and been told.”
Anzac Day is a chance to remember all New Zealanders who have fought in wars, including the more than 3000 military and civilian personnel who served in Vietnam between 1963 and 1975. Thirty-seven New Zealanders died on active service in Vietnam and 187 were wounded.