Steve Kilgallon’s reporting gives voice to people and issues that matter. Support Stuff to help make more stories like this possible.
He drives a Bentley with ‘CDR LI’ plates and wears a chest full of medals, but those who served say his story doesn’t seem to add up. Steve Kilgallon investigates.
The rack of medals across Marlborough maths teacher Mike Li’s chest at an Anzac Day parade told a remarkable story.
According to his ‘tin’, Li had spent time in the Special Forces, was captured by the Iraqis, saw action in the Gulf War, won an MBE, a Mention in Dispatches, the rarely-awarded Military Medal, and served in Yugoslavia and Cyprus. Former Army major Simon Strombom says Li told him he had commanded a nuclear submarine.
“It’s an amazing story,” says Strombom, who was taken aback when he saw Li wearing those medals at New Plymouth Boys’ High School’s Anzac ceremony three years ago.
