SECRET MISSION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20859, 11 August 1942, Page 2

SECRET MISSION

ADMIRAL BYRD EXPLORER VISITS N.Z, AMERICAN NAVAL DUTIES It has now become possible to ?t§te that Rear-Admiral Richard E. Byrd, U.S.N.. the vjorld's rribst famous living explorer, recently spent some time in New Zealand while on*', a secret navy mission. 1 A- PrCis Association cbrrrisßonde.rit at thd- Sbuth Pacific area headquarters where Admiral Byrd was frequently in conference with Yice-A-dmiral Robdft' ‘L‘. GHormley, U.&.N., commanding- the area,- says that- the release : of’tjje information was ; necessarily •delayed for security reasons. Admiral ;§yrd. :;s no stranger to, New Zealand. He has visited t-he .country a number ;of- time», the last occasion toeing

shortly- after the-outWeak-dfr the’-wvar, and has. taken, three. Polar expeditions away from. New Zealand, ports.'.. Be wears the. highest decoration; that his country, can bestow, the Congressional Medal- 1 of Honour, and is , the. .most decorated’-citizen- of tile: United-States. The 1 awards* arid medals he has received occupy six rows of ribbon on 'h‘isi : uniform- j’acket. Silence Maintained “Every one of his medals,!’ said' an American officer, “As. on the level. Nonfe' has been awarded' to Dick for attending an- ambassador’s- tea-party.” »&QSb Ws pn-ival in New ?fiMjmd Aqrnp'al Byrd took. three rows ...ol ojl his jackqt...., felt’ tliat they made him tpo capspictious.’' ; At p-ress- coriferehce shortly before hie-- left the headquarters': Admiral Byrd said He- htid beert' on aViritron duty for three years. ~ . " “I cut- -short my- exploring, of course;”-he said; “and it gqes- witboyt ;s > difiri*g';'.l;ltrit* I* Will riot dd lfi'pi'e • dfitil'rate'war; is river.’’ 1 f During, his Nevv Zealand visit, A'dftnfar Bytpg, tradition whieh : Admiral Ghormley-aridTiis staff have established ever since the formation;' of the South Papifio Area ' 'He ' worked" hard; often long intortbe night, arid jsicredited by the command with having done an .ei&SttWftt-l job. -‘•He: also- followed Adfniral;., in enjoining secrecy. “It is the duty of everybody-Ao refrain from discussing military information,” he said. Of New Zealand’s . war effort, be said: “Having . regard, ior .the Dominion’s facilities, you have: done very splendidly. The importance that my- country attaches ft> co-operation with Nevri Zealand,’’ .Said Adipiral Byrd, “is evidenced' fffet that it has-sent hei'e an officer., of the. veiy highest calibre, Vice-Admiral R. Glibtemley, rind one -.jj&ieiOE ablest effizerisj Brigadier-Gerierial:.,. Eh ,J. Hurley, who has held some of the highest responsibilities it is within the power of my country to bestow. Over-Optimism Deprecated .--“There- is ..one. warning—l - -want ,io give—we must not" be foo opttftTtstie and lay! pti ouivodritob .rifu'ch because of- the- Goral Sea and Midwayrbatttes. The' people of'the'United Nations iritfst realise their danger’- rind put-’forth; a superhuman; effort to' lick, the; enemy. ThiS -is' everybody's war. Every citizen can do his part and should'feel protid ta, .do it. At the. mornent; .tliefe...is..a lull. We should not feel comfortable because of it, but should use every moment of it to improve our positions. . a t have. slioved. off fox..the.,uokriown from New Zealand three.times, and have visited this country six. times. From all sides. I have. had. numerous evidences of your ffiendsKip.: . I ,arn sure ..you can understand,' th'erefor'e, how delighted I hrivo’been.to Jet IS6 the country for which" I have such -an affection, and .to havc. the, ORBPJ:tunity to be one of those to co-operate with iri fihie business of saving" civilisation. . “My military , duty has' fpade R impossible for me to firid- time- to get •ih; thuth With my marty old friends m New Zerilrihd. • r- wript to ,use this method of sending them; my warm greetings. Since my* mission .is a secre#-onfej I that ihis. statement cannot be published- until after my departure from New .Zealand. I am sorry I canritof tell jtofi where I go from here,” ,