This citation for James Pirihi's Military Medal is reproduced from the April 1990 NZ 28 Maori Battalion Golden Jubilee Reunion booklet:    

25982 Lance Corporal (T/Cpl) James Pirihi M.M.

T/Cpl PIRIHI is a stretcher bearer who had continually shown outstanding courage and unswerving devotion to duty. In the action of 23/24 Oct, 1942 at MITERIYA RIDGE he dressed and splinted a fractured limb under heavy shell fire and MG fire. Throughout the night and for the best part of the following day he worked cheerfully and untiringly treating, evacuating and burying casualties until none remained on the field. In the action 1/2 Nov, 1942 at Point 29 he again showed great devotion to duty administering to friend and foe alike. In one instance, in the face of enemy MG fire he dressed the wounds of a GERMAN soldier and finally carried him out to safety personally. His behaviour and courage is of the highest order and is a source of inspiration to all his comrades.