Sergeant David Duncan and Lance Corporal John Luamanu have been honoured for acts of gallantry when they were in combat in Afghanistan on August 4, 2012.

It's been almost four years since a enemy bullet tore through Sergeant David Duncan's leg and split his femur in two.

Today the scar serves as a constant reminder of the day he risked his life for an injured comrade during the Battle of Baghak in Afghanistan, and collected a gunshot wound on his return to his army vehicle.

But had it not been for the actions of Lance Corporal John Luamanu, Duncan said he could have died behind enemy lines.

MAARTEN HOLL/FAIRFAX NZ Lance Corporal John Luamanu, left, received the New Zealand Gallantry Medal for an act of gallantry and Sergeant David Duncan received the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration for an act of exceptional gallantry in a dangerous situation.

"There could have been a lot more damage to my leg, or I could have bled out."

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On Wednesday the pair were honoured for their efforts at Government House.

​Luamanu and Duncan had been travelling in a three-vehicle convoy separate from the group that was attacked on August 4, 2012, and had moved towards the fighting to help.

When their patrol came to a halt, Duncan ran forward about 20 metres to pick up an injured soldier and dragged him back across open ground to the rear of the patrol's lead light armoured vehicle (LAV). As Duncan then returned to his own vehicle he was shot in the right leg.

"Imagine someone taking you by surprise with a baseball bat," he said.

His first thought was for his femoral artery, which had been miraculously spared, then the reality that he was exposed set in.

Luamanu carried Duncan 20 metres through enemy fire, only to find the vehicle he had been told to take the injured soldier to was already full.

So Luamanu picked Duncan up again, turned around and carried him safely back across the open ground to another vehicle.

Luamanu drew a blank when he was asked what went through his mind before he ran into the firing line with Duncan in tow.

"You just do it, it's just a reaction. It's your mate."

Both men were presented with military honours on Wednesday at Government House in Wellington – Duncan with the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration and Luamanu with the NZ Gallantry Medal.

Luamanu said he certainly doesn't see himself as a hero.

"I'm just Joe Bloggs. There's still a lot of other guys out there – a lot are deserving [of medals] as well."

Lance Corporals Rory Malone and Pralli Durrer were killed in the firefight that day.

Malone was posthumously awarded the NZGM for his actions at Baghak. He first returned fire at the insurgents that attacked the Kiwi group, then helped drag a wounded colleague to the rear of a vehicle where he could receive treatment.

When he tried to re-enter the army vehicle, he was fatally shot in the chest.

Investitures ceremonies continue tomorrow at Government House in Wellington, where Richie McCaw will be appointed to the The Order of New Zealand (ONZ), which is confined to 20 living New Zealanders.