Fiji Commanders
p. 18 · Read in the full issue
Decorated US Bronze Stars for Duty Well Done
nRHE officers commanding the two Fiji X battalions which recently returned to Fiji from active service in Bou gainville, Lieut.-Colonel G. T. Upton and Lieut.-Colonel F. W. Voelcker, have each been awarded the US Bronze Star. These are the citations: “Geoffrey T. Upton, Lieutenant-Colonel, Fiji Military Forces, for heroic achieve ment against the enemy at Bougainville, from January 12 to April 30. 1944, while serving as Commander of the battalion which successfully occupied an outpost at Ibu, 20 miles beyond the American perim eter, and constructed the Kameli strip for air supply and evacuation.
“He also submitted valuable informa tion concerning Japanese preparation for an assault on our perimeter defences, enabling American commanders to take counter - measures which contributed
materially to repulse of the hostile effort when it was launched.
“Colonel Upton performed gallantly on numerous reconnaissance in force mis sions, leading his battalion into strongly held Japanese territory. Throughout this prolonged period of intense activity, he exhibited aggressive leadership, keen fore sight and superior devotion to duty.”
“ITIRANCIS W. VOELCKER, Lieutenant- J/ Colonel, Fiji Military Forces, for heroic achievement against the enemy at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, from March 20 to June 5, 1944, while serving as commander of the battalion which pursued the fleeing Japanese forces and made a sweep along the Numa Numa trail in the Java Creek area. Later he led his troops in a fierce assault, which he planned and executed brilliantly, securing the flank of the Allied positions and keeping open vital lines of communi cation.
“From May 30 to June 5, Colonel Voelcker led his battalion on an import ant reconnaissance mission, sweeping the Empress Augusta Bay shore from the Tekessi River to Mawaraka Point. Dur- ' ing this successful amphibious operation valuable information was secured, many enemy fortifications destroyed and six artillery field pieces captured. During this entire period, Colonel Voelcker suc cessfully fulfilled his assigned combat mission and displayed resourcefulness, sound judgment, superior military ability and a high devotion to duty.”
Mr. James W. Baldie, who was a pro minent member of the Papuan Public Service 15 years ago, has been ill recently He is now living in Hampton, Victoria His son, Squadron-Leader Stan Baldie was killed in India in 1943.