Bob Anderson Collection
Tony Howell joined the New Zealand Army as a Regular Force Cadet at the age of sixteen, qualifying as an Instructor All-Arms in the Infantry Corps. In 1964, he graduated as a Second Lieutenant from the Australian Officer Cadet School at Portsea. Tony served on active service as a Platoon Commander in the Borneo Confrontation (1966) and South Vietnam War (1967-1968). Tony was awarded the Military Cross for his actions and leadership during the Vietnam War. After a posting as the Senior Weapons Instructor at the School of Infantry, he returned to 1 RNZIR twice as the Mortar Platoon Commander and then C Company Commander. In 1982 Tony was appointed commander of the New Zealand Special Air Service for four years in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Following 28 years of dedicated and distinguished service, Tony resigned to create his own Scuba diving business, a passion he still enjoys. He published his first book, Jungle Green Shadows, in 2019 and his second (New Zealand and Australian editions), Vietnam Anzacs, in 2021.