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428653 Leading Aircraftman Ohaia MITA.
Father: Mr. Tomanika Ihaia of Poroporo, Whakatane.

Ihaia Mita was born at Porporo on the 6th May 1921. When applying for enlistment in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in May 1942, he was employed in dairy farming.

Leading Aircraftman Mita was enlisted at Harewood on the 24th July 1942. After completing a drill and disciplinary course there, he was posted to New Plymouth late in August, where he served until embarking for overseas to the Pacific Area on the 11th July 1945. He was posted to Espiritu Santos and then to Bougainville. On the 19th December he was transferred to Suva returning to New Zealand on the 20th April 1946. After a period of leave he was posted late in May to Ohakea.

Leading Aircraftman Mita was admitted to the Palmerston North Public Hospital on the 19th June on account of illness. He was transferred to the Whakatane Hospital on the 8th August and died there on the 18th August. He was buried in the Whakatane Cemetery.

5/3/26292 A.S.2.

Mr. Tominika Ihaia (F), (right aligned)
Poroporo, (right aligned)
WHAKATANE. (right aligned & underlined)