McCarthy
p. 61 · Read in the full issue
US Decoration for J. K.
N the seventh year of “peace,”
Mr. J. K. McCarthy, now Dis ict Commissioner, Rabaul, NG, is • receive an American military :coration which was awarded to him >r distinguished service while in immand of an Australian unit at tanus during the Pacific War.
He already has the MBE, awarded i him in 1944 for his part in the scue of the 250 straggling remnants the Rabaul garrison who were wishing in the New Britain jungle •r lack of will or know-how to get emselves out.
When Rabaul fell to the Japanese 1942, McCarthy was Assistant
District Officer, Talasea. In due course he heard of the plight ot the Australians who had escaped the Japs only to fall foul of the jungle, and he determined to do something about it. He walked hundreds of miles, even to the outskirts of Rabaul itself. He and police-boys rounded up dozens of small parties, comprised mostly of men who by then did not want to be saved. He coaxed, bullied, encouraged; he got them walking along his planned escape routes; he arranged food for v ’ 6 , them, shelter, canoes and even car- ’ £ , ’ . - . r . , , ners for the sick. After weeks he got them to a point where they were picked up by a ship and taken to Australia. In his self-imposed job
he was ably assisted by a handful of old residents, some of whom, in later war service, paid the supreme sacri fice.
After recuperating in Australia, McCarthy served in Manus and later in Sarawak and Borneo right up until July, 1946. He returned to the Papua-New Guinea Administration in 1947.