John Campbell (72) was presented with the RSA Badge in Gold at a long-service awards ceremony at the Montecillo Veterans' Home and Hospital.
Mr Campbell, a Vietnam veteran, became vice-president of the Dunedin RSA in 1999 and president in 2001.
In 2003, he became district president of Otago-Southland and a member of the national executive committee, taking on the national president role later that year.
His old friend, RSA president Don McIver, presented the award to a surprised and emotional Mr Campbell, who had come to the ceremony to receive his New Zealand Defence Service Medal, a recognition he had championed during his RSA presidency.
Mr McIver said Mr Campbell had been influential in setting up a review of Vietnam veterans that led to a Government public apology for the way they were treated when they returned to New Zealand and Tribute 08 - the formal welcome home. It also led to measures to address health and welfare issues for Vietnam veterans and their families, a review of the War Pensions Act, and a review of services to all veterans.
During his presidency Mr Campbell reinvigorated the relationship the RSA shared both with the Government and with defence, he said.
Mr Campbell, a member of the RSA for 31 years, retired as national president in 2007, but continued to serve as the lay member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Veterans Health until its last meeting last week. He had served the RSA and veterans "with great strength and innovation", Mr McIver said.
"He was a highly professional and competent leader and also a thoughtful and sensitive person."
Mr Campbell said he was stunned when Mr McIver surprised him with the Badge of Gold, which he considered a great honour, especially considering the other people who had received one.
"This is a very proud day for me. This means a lot. But on the other hand I heard the citations of these people here [yesterday's other award recipients] and I'm truly humbled, the service [they] have given to the RSA is very significant."
• Other recipients of RSA long-service awards were World War 2 veteran Harry Hedges (91), who was presented with an RSA Gold Star for his 61 years' membership and service to the RSA and the returned servicemen's community; and RSA merit badges to Mary Dean (87), who served with the Royal New Zealand Naval Signal Branch decoding messages sent by the Japanese after Pearl Harbour and joined the Dunedin RSA 28 years ago; Barbara Wilson, who has been involved with the Lawrence RSA for 60 years; and Phyllis Seaman (91), who served with the New Zealand women's army auxilliary in the Pacific in World War 2 and has been a member of the RSA for 63 years and involved with fundraising and posy making.
The RSA Badge in Gold
• What is it: The RSA's highest honour awarded to those who have rendered significant service to the RSA or to New Zealand.
• Instituted: 1920.
• First recipient: Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII.
• Others awarded it: New Zealand's only living Victoria Cross holder, Willie Apiata; World War 2 resistance fighter Nancy Wake; Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh; and the Unknown Warrior, the World War 1 soldier whose body was returned to New Zealand from France in 2004.
The Unknown Warrior: First posthumous recipient.
Mr Campbell: 66th recipient of the badge.
