"Unsung Hero"

Awords to F. A. Rhoades, RANR

ONE of the unsung heroes of World War II Is Mr. F. A. Rhoades, now a Burns Philp manager /in New Guinea Although getting on in years when World War II came (he was veteran of World War I, where he was twice wounded) he joined the Royal Aus tralian Navy in 1942, and did remark able service for the Americans when they started, in the Solomons, the great drive ended in Tokio three years lei 101*.

Lieutenant Rhoades’s achievements were of so hush-hush a character that his mam citation was not published at the time that is why he is now described as an “unsung hero.” Here are the citations: Distinguished Service Cross “The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded (by the Commander-In-Chief Southwest Pacific Area, to the following named officer: a. General Order 41, Gen eral Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area of October 7, 1942: “For extraordinary heroism in action on Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands, during the period from June 20 1942 to October, 1942. Volunteering for service of a most dangerous character, and with full knowledge of the risks involved, Sub- Lieutenant F. A. Rhoades remained alone and without adequate means of protec tion or escape on Guadalcanal Island after its occupation by a large force of the enemy, and continued to report enemy ships sunk by Allied forces, ship move ments and aircraft flights. Native co operation could not be relied upon.

Eventual betrayal was almost a certainty and efforts were made bv the enemy to locate and capture or kill him. He was always faced with the possibility oi starvation in the bush if flight neces sitated abandonment of his supplies and radio. The degree of success achieved by the enemy in similar attempts indicates the heavy proportion of personnel killed, captured or missing in this general area.

Under such conditions, he continued to execute his mission with high efficiency, sending reports by radio of enemy move ments, positions and installations which were of great value to the Allied forces in operations.”

The Silver Star “Frederick Ashton Rhoades, Lieutenant, Royal Australian Navy Volunteer Reserve, for gallantry in action at Rendova, Solomon Islands, on June 30, 1943. Land ing with the attacking echelon of an in fantry battalion to establish a beach head at Rendova, Lieutenant Rhoades led the assault wave of American troops in a charge on the Japanese defenders. As a result of his vigorous and courageous leadership, hostile forces at Rendova Plantation were struck before they were fully prepared and were completely routed.

Lieutenant Rhoades personally accounted for at least seven of the sixty-five Jap anese who were killed in the attack.”

His many friends in the South Seas will regret to learn that the Reverend Father Delhi, of the Roman Catholic Mission in Western Samoa, has suffered a good deal of illness lately, and has been receiving special treatment. Father Deihl has devoted 27 years to Mission work in the South Pacific —most of that time as a director of secondary education in Apia, where he has had much suc cess.

Defence talks were held between New Zealand Chiefs of Staff and Fiji autho rities in June. Agreement in principle was reached as to how Fiji may best co-operate with the Dominion for defence of the area by air, sea and land.

Notes from Doru (Papua) DARU, June 28.

WE listened last night to the opening of the new short-wave station in Port Moresby. One old hand interrupted the Administrator’s remarks from time to time with, “Why don’t we grow more rice 9”

The benefits of the station will only be realised when radios are available to the natives—there are none in this Division. . .

The unevangelised Fields Mission vessel “Maine 2” journeyed to Thursday Island recently and will there await stores from the South. Mr. and Mrs. Ron Teale, of the Mission were passengers.

A 40-ft. launch arrived early this month from Australia for Mr. L. Luff, who will use it in his business. Mr. T. A.

Wyborn brought the vessel up, and will m future reside at Daru.

Mr D Clancy, of Administrations Patrol Staff, is back in Daru after 15 months’ pioneer work at Lake Murray.

Local weather has been poor, and a small plane for Port Moresby remained here for two days, waiting for rain and winds to abate.