BRAVERY AWARDS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 58, 9 March 1944, Page 6

BRAVERY AWARDS

HEROES OF MUNDA

PARADE ll\! OUTER DOMAIN

With band playing and flags gaily fluttering in the breeze, a parade of an American infantry battalion was held in the Auckland Outer Domain this afternoon to do honour to nine soldiers who were decorated for heroism and gallantry under lire and other outstanding service in the memorable Munda campaign on New Georgia Island. It was a colourful spectacle, and was witnessed by a large gathering of the general public.

Among those who witnessed the ceremony from the review stand were the Mayor, Mr. Allum, in his official robes, Mr. Justice Fair, MajorGen&ral P. H. Bell, C.8.E., D.5.0., Officer-Commanding the Northern Military District, Commander Wilson, the American Consul, Mr. Hiram A. Boucher, members of the New Zealand Officers' Club, and representatives of all the unit commands of the American forces.

The parading troops marched into the Domain in column of companies, and were presented to the American Major - General commanding the division by Lieutenant-Colonel Sellers, commander of the parade. The band played "General's March," and the men to be decorated marched with the company commanders to the front of the Major-General. Lieutenant-Colonel Sellers reported the men, and the company commanders returned to the troops.

Then followed the playing by the band of the American National Anthdm and "God Save the King." The troops passed in review to the playing of military airs, and the decoration of the men followed. The recipients were:—

Legion of Merit.—Captain F. A Bixwell Goff (Rhode Island); Cor poral L. N. Tillson. Jnr. (Mississippi)

Silver Star. — Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert E. Welch (Connecticut); Chaplain-Captain Dudley H. Burr (Connecticut); Second - Lieutenant Joseph A. Harrington (Louisiana); Sergeant Norman P. La Hose (Rhode Island); Corporal Columbus J. Carta (Connecticut); Private Robert O. Wright (Illinois).

Soldier's Medal. — Tneodore R Awbrey (Connecticut).