Awards for Outstanding Bravery on Treasury Island

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 6, 8 January 1944, Page 8

Awards for Outstanding Bravery on Treasury Island

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 6.

The Govcrnor-Gepcral haq announced that his Majesty the King has approved the following immediate operational awards to personnel of the

Second N.Z.E.F. in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the operations on Treasury Island in

the South Pacific area:—

Bar to the Distinguished Scrvi

Order: Brigadier Robert Amos Row,

D.S.O. (formerly officer commanding Central District and commander of the

Northern Field Force). Brigadier Row was in charge of the operations which resulted in the capture and occupation of Treasury Island. The landing force comprised numerous technical troops in addition to the normal brigade group and the 6inooth landing of the successive transport echelons and the general development of the whole operation was eloquent proof of the thorough and careful way in which Brigadier Row had conceived and planned the expedition.

Military Cross: Second-Lieutenant Leslie Thomas George Booth (wife, Mrs. A. Booth, Christchurch). On October 27 Lieut. Booth took part in the assault on the Japanese headquarters. At this time the beach and landing ships were being subjected to very heavy and accurate mortar fire from a high Tidge west of Saveke River. Casualties were being suffered by the unloading parties and the unloading operations were in danger of being disorganised. Lieut. Booth was ordered to attack and capture the mortar position. Booth led his platoon up a very steep ridge in the face of heavy machinegun fire and rifle lire. Although the enemy was in considerable force on this ridge Booth succeeded in driving the enemy from the ridge and captured two 75-milliinetrc howitzers. Booth left one section to hold the gun position and pushed on up the ridge. Despite being outnumbered a determined attack was made on the enemy with tommyguns and grenades and the position was captured. In this action Booth showed himself as an officer of outstanding courage and initiative and the successful termination of the unloading of the landing craft was due in no small mcasuro to his action.

Distinguished Conduct Medal: Sergeant William Albert Cowan (wife, Mrs. L. B. Cowan, Taumarunui) for distinguished conduct prior to and during the operations in the Solomons area. Cowan was selected to command two patrols to the Treasury Islands before the landing on October 27. The first patrol was sent in to obtain information as to the strength of the enemy and his disposition. The object of the second patrol was to cut the main telephone line between the enemy observation point on Laifa Point and the Japanese headquarters and to pass information as to enemy movements after the lauding had been effected. The first patrol was carried through most successfully under difficult conditions and resulted in much valuable ’information being obtained. The second patrol successfully cut the telephone line at 4 a.m. on October 27 and thus delayed information of the approach of the assaulting troops reaching the enemy. During the next five days the patrol was continuously active behind the enemy lines and much information was obtained.

Military Medal: Sapper Jack Keith Duncan (wife, Mrs. M. Duncan, Auckland). For bravery in the field during the landing on October 27. The beaches were subjected to very heavy shelling and mortar fire for about five hours

after the initial landing had been

made. This resulted in many casualties * to personnel and damage to ships that were unloading. Duncan during the whole of this time and with utter disregard for his own personal safety continued to operate his bulldozer on and in close vicinity to the beaches in constructing tracks vitally necessary for the expeditious unloading of the ammunition, stores and equipment, llis fine example was a very steadying influence on unloading and carrying parties.

Private Joseph Edward Smith (wife, Mrs. E. M. Smith, Waiheke Island, Auckland). For gallant conduct during a determined enemy attack on Soanotalu on November 2. Smith was with a party of ten, including one officer and one staff-sergeant, who defended the small beach at Soanotalu. The defenders were considerably outnumbered. When the officer and staff-sergeant had been mortally wounded and the situation was at its worst Smith took command, and by resolute action and calmness kept the defence intact and finally, after five hours’ fighting, completely annihilating that portion of the enemy force which had penetrated to the beach. Corporal Frederick Arthur Armstrong (wife, Mrs. L. Armstrong, Napier). On November 5 Armstrong, as a member of a fighting patrol from his battalion, was acting as points scout with Sergeant Ilala, a native guide, when tho Japanese fired at Ilala whose rifle jammed when he tried to return the fire. Armstrong ran towards the Japanese and shot him at close quarters. The Japanese was not killed and fell down a cliff, and in following him a strong Japanese party armed with a ligtit machinegun, rifles and grenades was discovered in a series of caves on the seashore. In the ensuing action, in which ten Japanese were killed and one captured, Armstrong displayed an absolute disregard of personal safety and by courage and leadership inspired his section. One of the enemy was hidden in 'a cave from where he was able to shoot at and kill Sergeant Baird. Fire could not be brought to bear on him and when grenades were thrown into the cave ho scooped them out. Armstrong then took two grenades and, crawling down the cliff to a ledge above the cave, he pulled the pin from the grenade, held it for three seconds and then tossed it into the cave. He repeated this with the second grenade and then jumped into the cave to find the Japanese dead. Had it not been for Armstrong’s action the casualties suffered by the patrol would in all probability have been heavier. Private Edward Valentine Owen (wife, Mrs. M. A. Owen, Tauranga). For bravery in the field during and subsequent to the landing on Treasury Island. Owen, who is a man of 40, has shown outstanding diligence to duty during the Treasury Island campaign. He landed with the assaulting companies and immediately carried out a daring reconnaissance. As a result of this he led a fighting patrol against a strongly-held enemy post. During the attack on t£e post and with a total disregard for his own personal safety he advanced and threw a grenade into the post which enabled the rest of the

patrol to close in. He has since been most active on patrols into enemy territory, the results of which have on

several occasions enabled thi

to effect adjustments to the line held. His devotion to duty and example have been as inspiration to all ranks*.