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John Hone Hikitia Te Rangi Waititi, a member of the 28th (Māori) Battalion passed away on Monday 25 June 2012, at the age of 91.
The Whakatane Beacon reported that Mr Waititi “Known as “The Major”, was one of the few remaining members of his unit and was the last remaining commanding officer who fought with the Māori Battalion during World War II. Mr Waititi joined the battalion at the rank of Second Lieutenant and rose to the rank of major by the end of the war. He saw action in Italy, including the fated Battle for Cassino in 1944 and during the war was wounded three times.”
Nearly 16,000 Māori men enlisted for service during the Second World War. The 28th (Māori) Battalion was one of the most celebrated and decorated units in the New Zealand forces by the time the Second World War had ended.
For more information on the 28th (Māori) Battalion including haka, waiata, videos, and images visit:
Other useful weblinks re the 28th (Māori) Battalion include:
Filed under: Identity Language and Culture | Effective teachers