Paul Rangi Te Rito

Forenames

Paul Rangi AWMM

Surname

Te Rito AWMM

Service number

67478 AWMM

Gender

Male AWMM

Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe

Iwi Māori, Māori AWMM

Birth

4 Jun 1920 AWMM

Birth notes

Son of Rangi and Caroline Te Rito, of Whakaki, Hawke's Bay

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 6 March 2025 - https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/paul-rangi-terito

Address before enlistment

Unknown AWMM Whakaki, New Zealand AWMM

Next of kin

Mrs P. Wilson (sister), Whakaki, New Zealand AWMM

Relationship status

Unknown AWMM Single AWMM

War

World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

Armed force / branch

Army AWMM

Service number

67478 AWMM

Medals and Awards

• Military Medal (MM) AWMM
  06 Apr 1944 AWMM
  During the attack Pascuccio Ridge on 8 December 1943 Cpl. Te Rito showed outstanding courage and determination. When his Platoon Commander and Sergeant were cut off he immediately took charge of the platoon and when they were counter attacked he led his men at the enemy, firing and hurling hand grenades. It was as a direct result of his personal sample and encouragement that the counter attack was beaten off. Later his mortar man was wounded and taking over the mortar Cpl. Te Rito directed the fire, wiped out a machine-gun post and continued to operate the mortar himself until the bombs were exhausted. Twice more the enemy counter attacked and each time Cpl. Te Rito rallied his men and beat off the attack. When the enemy were finally beaten off Cpl.Te Rito, under heavy machine gun fire, went out and brought back two wounded men. Throughout the whole action he was a source of great inspiration to his men.(London Gazette 6/4/1944 (I)) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Te Rito, Paul Rangi. (Ref. WO 373/5/452). Military Medal.06 Apr 1944 AWMM
• War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
• New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Enlistment

WW2 Unknown AWMM Labourer/Civilian AWMM

Embarkation details

WW2 Private AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, D Company AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM

Medical notes

Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM

Last rank

Sergeant AWMM
28 (Maori) Battalion, D Company AWMM

Paul Te Rito was the son of Rangi and Caroline Te Rito, of Whakaki, Hawke's Bay. AWMM

Death

30 May 1944 AWMM
Age  24 AWMM

Cause of death

Killed in Action AWMM

Cemetery

Cassino War Cemetery, Italy AWMM VI. H. 9. AWMM

Memorial name

Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM

Related objects

External links

• 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
  http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/
  Further Reference
• Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington: Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. Digital copy.
  https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Maor.html
  Further Reference
• 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 6 April 1944, p.1588.). Military Medal.
  http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36456/supplements/1588
  Further Reference
• The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Te Rito, Paul Rangi. (Ref. WO 373/5/452). Military Medal.
  http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C8907571
  Further Reference
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
  https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2613113
  Sources Used

References

• Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139.
• Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1942). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 5 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1941 to 30 September, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
  WW2 5: WW2 208
• Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.