ARCHIE WHARTON ELLESMERE SILVESTER

Transcription

REVEREND ARCHIE WHARTON ELLESMERE SILVESTER
A SUPPLEMENT TO EXPLORING THE MEDAL FOR MERIT
ONLINE EDITION
PHILIP J. SCHLEGEL
Copyright © 2016 by Philip J. Schlegel
AUTHOR’S NOTE
While planning this supplement to Exploring the Medal for Merit: Online
Edition, it quickly became evident that the documents located in Rev. Archie
Silvester’s Medal for Merit award file, located at the National Archives at
College Park, Maryland (Archives II), did not fully portray the circumstances
that led to the award. Important primary source materials are also located at
the National Archives of Australia (NAA). Silvester’s Medal for Merit, the
original award certificate, and the original citation are located at the
Auckland War Memorial Museum in New Zealand.
The NAA holdings include a “Report by Lieut HE Josselyn RANVR –
Coastwatching,” excerpts from which figure prominently in Silvester’s Medal
for Merit award file at Archives II. Reports from Josselyn’s coastwatching
colleagues on Vella Lavella are also included in the NAA holdings. Two
additional NAA files, “Awards to Coast Watchers” and “Awards & Mentions
to Coastwatching Personnel” were exceptionally valuable.
In order to establish necessary context for Silvester’s award, this
supplement relies on two books that have withstood the scrutiny of time and
are frequently cited: Walter Lord, Lonely Vigil: Coastwatchers of the
Solomons and Eric A. Feldt, The Coastwatchers. Several service-sanctioned
histories detailing US Army and US Marine Corps operations in the Pacific
Theater were also consulted. Primary among the service-sanctioned works
were John Miller, Jr., Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul and John N. Rentz,
Marines in the Central Solomons.
A recent addition to the Vella Lavella narrative is Reg Newell’s The Battle
for Vella Lavella (2016). Newell’s work is a “must read” for anyone who is
interested in a thorough examination of the objectives and operational details
ii
of the combatants who fought on and around Vella Lavella. It is also
important to note that Newell’s history of the battle points out that the United
States recognized Reverend Silvester’s contributions by awarding him the
Medal for Merit, a detail that generally has been overlooked.*
Completing this supplement would not have been possible without
assistance and generous contributions from the Auckland War Memorial
Museum, Auckland, New Zealand; the Reference Branch, National Archives
at College Park, College Park, Maryland; the National Archives of Australia,
Parkes ACT, Australia; and the Australian War Memorial Research Centre,
Campbell ACT, Australia. The assistance of the staff at each of these
organizations is gratefully acknowledged.
Philip J. Schlegel
March 30, 2016
* For full documentation of archival and secondary sources see endnotes.
iii
REVEREND ARCHIE WHARTON ELLESMERE SILVESTER
By any measure, Rev. Archie Silvester’s
resolve and courage embodied the principles
envisioned for a foreign award of the Medal
for Merit. That is, “awards to civilians of
foreign nations shall be only for the
performance of an exceptionally meritorious
or courageous act or acts in furtherance of
the war efforts of the United Nations.”1
As the Second World War in the Pacific
expanded, Reverend Silvester, a Methodist
minister from New Zealand, was serving as a
missionary on the island of Vella Lavella in
the Solomon Islands. When Vella Lavella
and its resident missionary were drawn into
the war, the Allied forces would have no
better friend than Archie Silvester. This
supplement recalls the circumstances that
Fig. 1. Rev. A. W. E. Silvester
Medal for Merit, ribbon bar, and
rosette in presentation case. (Photo
courtesy of the Auckland War
Memorial Museum, Auckland,
New Zealand. 2005.56.1.)
led the United States to award Archie
Silvester the Medal for Merit and is a
testimonial to his unwavering dedication to
bring aid and comfort to many American and Allied soldiers, sailors, marines,
and airmen who found themselves squarely in harm’s way.
The story of Archie Silvester’s Medal for Merit actually begins
immediately following the First World War when intelligence officers and
naval planners in Australia, and later New Zealand, established a network of
1
“coastwatchers” who were tasked to observe, identify, track, and report sea,
air, and related military activity. Coastwatching operations began in remote
areas of coastal Australia and gradually expanded through the South Pacific
and Southwest Pacific areas. The coastwatchers were a collection of
government officials, reserve officers, civilians, merchants, ranchers, planters,
missionaries, and indigenous Islanders. By the time war with Japan broke out
there were hundreds of coastwatchers in place, many operating in extremely
remote areas, enduring the rigors inherent in a tropical environment. Many of
the coastwatchers would fall well behind enemy lines, but their primary
Vella Lavella
Fig. 2. The Solomon Islands, Spring 1943. (From John N. Rentz, Marines in the Central Solomons [n.p.:
Historical Branch, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 1952], 1.) Text box in red inserted by author.
2
mission, to gather and convey intelligence rather than engage enemy forces,
continued in earnest.2
Eliminating the Japanese presence in the Solomon Islands and control of
land-based air facilities emerged as a critical aspect of Allied war strategy in
the Pacific. To implement the emerging strategy, Guadalcanal became an
immediate objective.3
Allied commanders soon turned their attention to securing the airfields on
New Georgia and Kolombangara. The airfield at Munda, on New Georgia,
was ultimately secured, but the campaign was arduous and costly in time and
casualties. Taking Kolombangara promised more of the same. Hence, an
alternative plan was devised to secure nearby Vella Lavella. The new plan
satisfied the fundamental objectives of providing additional airstrips to
support ongoing air, naval, and ground operations, expediting the advance up
the Solomon Islands and, because the Japanese presence on Vella Lavella was
relatively light, reducing casualties.4
In October 1942, before Vella Lavella became an operational objective, Lt.
Henry A. Josselyn and Lt. John R. Keenan (both Royal Australian Navy
Volunteer Reserve) were put ashore as coastwatchers.5 Josselyn and Keenan
soon encountered Reverend Silvester and Merle Farland, a Methodist
missionary nurse.6 Despite the fact that most Europeans had fled the Solomon
Islands, Silvester and Farland remained on Vella Lavella, serving the
Islanders from a mission at Biloa, on the island’s southeastern tip.7
3
Area where the last Japanese defenders
were evacuated in October 1943.
Area where Lt. Josselyn and
Lt. Keenan were put ashore
in October 1942.
Rev. Archie
Silvester’s
mission.
Fig. 3. Vella Lavella. (From John N. Rentz, Marines in the Central Solomons [n.p.: Historical Branch,
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 1952], 130.) Text boxes in red inserted by author.
4
The cooperation and assistance of the Solomon Islanders was an important
aspect of the Allied war effort. The bonds that Archie Silvester had fostered
with the Islanders on Vella Lavella were a recurring theme in the award
documentation and were vividly described by Josselyn:
During the period of enemy occupation of the Northern area of
the New Georgia group, the loyalty of the natives never once
faltered. This may be attributed to the fact that the Japanese
certainly ill-treated some of the few natives who were temporarily
captured. They “toasted” the feet of one native, in the early days,
at Lambu-Lambu in an unsuccessful endeavor to obtain
Silvester’s whereabouts. In the main, however, I think that the
natives had fully appreciated the work of Government and
Missionaries in the past 40 years and were most anxious that the
status quo should not be changed.8
Josselyn’s assessment was supported by Keenan:
I am firmly convinced that the action of Rev. Sylvester [sic] in
remaining behind on Vella Lavella when the rest of the European
population evacuated the Islands, was responsible for the native
population remaining loyal and thus rendering Lieutenant
Josselyn and myself much valuable assistance.9
Josselyn’s praise for Silvester’s role in coastwatching activities on Vella
Lavella was unreserved:
He [Silvester] volunteered to assist in the coast-watching
organization in that area. He collected and correlated information
on enemy activities in S.E. Vella [Lavella] whilst his information
regarding movements of enemy shipping in the Vella Gulf was of
greatest value.10
5
Fig. 4. Rev. A. W. E. Silvester c. 1943. (Photo courtesy of the Auckland War Memorial Museum,
Auckland, New Zealand. Silvester, Archie Wharton Ellesmere. Papers, 1908–1997. Auckland War
Memorial Museum Library. PH-2005-4-32.)
6
The “outstanding services” for which the United States awarded Reverend
Silvester the Medal for Merit are outlined in the citation. The period of
service and wording of Silvester’s award citation focused primarily on his
support of American ground operations on Vella Lavella.
Fig. 5. [Cropped] File copy of Reverend Silvester’s Medal for Merit award citation. (Award
Citation, The Reverend A. W. Silvester, n.d.; File 222, Box 1, Medal for Merit Case Files,
1942–1948; Entry 26, Record Group 130; National Archives at College Park, MD.) The signed,
original citation is illustrated in fig. 10.
7
The wording of the citation notwithstanding, there were actually two
advance reconnaissance missions. The first advance reconnaissance mission,
which was not mentioned in the citation, was sent to determine the viability of
establishing an airfield, a crucial precondition for the proposed operational
shift to Vella Lavella.11 On the night of July 21–22, 1943, a party of six
American officers landed near Barakoma, on the south end of the island, “to
obtain specific information concerning hydrographic and beach conditions,
possible airfield sites and dispersal areas, and the exact location of any hostile
defenses.”12 Although this initial advance reconnaissance mission was not
referenced in the citation, Silvester and Josselyn met the advance party and,
for six days, assisted in their assessment.13
The second advance reconnaissance mission, which was referenced in the
award citation, commenced on the night of August 12–13, 1943. The original
plan was to deploy a small number of troops near Barakoma to mark landing
channels and beaches, and to reconnoiter troop dispositions for the impending
landings. As the advance reconnaissance mission was about to get underway,
Josselyn reported that a significant number of Japanese, who had survived
nearby naval engagements, had reached Vella Lavella and were roaming
about the island, some near the landing area. Josselyn believed their presence
put the landing in danger. In response, about two dozen additional soldiers
joined the reconnaissance party to address the threat.14
Unstated in the award citation was that the mission got off to a shaky start.
Ferrying the reconnaissance party to shore by canoe was not part of the plan.
When the rubber boats that were deployed with the reconnaissance team
failed to inflate, it was Silvester who dispatched the Islanders in canoes.15
Following that precarious start, Silvester guided the second advance
reconnaissance party “with such care and thoroughness that objectives were
8
reached quickly and without confusion in the subsequent landing
operations.”16
On the morning of August 14 an additional seventy-two soldiers were
deployed to Vella Lavella in response to the continuing threat of Japanese
near the landing area. As it turned out, the Japanese survivors would not
hinder the landings, but Josselyn was disappointed that the advance party did
not fully subdue them. He reported that the Americans merely “chased away”
the Japanese, which he saw as a lost opportunity to prevent their ultimate
escape.17
On August 15 the initial American landing force of 4,600 men (and
equipment) went ashore. The Japanese were unwilling and, as a practical
matter, were unable to mount a large-scale ground defense. Intending to buy
time to strengthen their positions at Bougainville and Rabaul, the Japanese
adopted a strategy of tactical withdrawal up the central Solomons. In keeping
with that strategy, only about 400 additional Japanese soldiers and sailors
were deployed to the northeastern coast of the island in response to the
American landings (see fig. 3). The additional troops were sent to facilitate
barge traffic but, as Allied forces advanced to the northwest, the
reinforcements would end up augmenting the relatively few Japanese troops
that had been posted to the island and the stranded survivors.18
Over the next month the Americans gradually “strengthened the defenses
of Barakoma, established outposts and radar stations, and patrolled
northward on both coasts.”19 Silvester, and the Islanders, accompanied the
American ground troops on inherently hazardous patrols, thereby providing
critical support that was addressed in the citation:
The Reverend Dr. Silvester’s knowledge of the island and its
terrain was extensive and he was extremely helpful in
9
accompanying patrols on many dangerous missions. He
commanded the respect and confidence of the natives and he
inculcated in them an eagerness to serve the American forces. As
a result, the natives were invaluable as guides and scouts and
furnished abundant information on Japanese positions.20
On September 18, 1943, the 3rd New Zealand Division relieved the 35th US
Infantry Regiment and a New Zealander, Maj. Gen. Harold E. Barrowclough,
took command of ground operations on Vella Lavella. Clearly, Silvester’s
insights were respected. The day after Barrowclough took command, Silvester
assisted the new commander and his staff in developing plans designed to rid
the island of Japanese.21 The New Zealanders advanced to the northwest until
early October, when the remaining Japanese defenders were finally evacuated
(see fig. 3).22
It is clear that air and naval combat over and around Vella Lavella was
intense, but the service-sanctioned histories tend to minimize the intensity of
ground operations. Historian Reg Newell disputes the notion that ground
operations were insignificant, convincingly concluding that American and
New Zealand ground forces faced sharp and determined Japanese delaying
actions, under extremely hostile conditions.23 Archie Silvester’s intimate
familiarity with the geography, environment, and overall character of the
island enhanced the situational awareness of the Allied forces which,
undoubtedly, facilitated ground operations and reduced casualties. An entry
in Josselyn’s coastwatching report further supports the praise reflected in the
award citation. “Both [coastwatcher Lt. Robert] Firth and Silvester worked
closely with G-2 [intelligence] to whom they were able to give the benefit of
their local knowledge.”24
10
Silvester was a committed participant from the beginning. He actively
assisted Josselyn, Keenan, and Firth in coastwatching activities. He was a key
member of the pre-invasion advance reconnaissance teams. Once the
American forces established a foothold on the island, Silvester directly
supported infantry operations in the extraordinarily inhospitable terrain. In
short, Archie Silvester did not waver. Given that insight, the final statement
on his Medal for Merit citation was fully justified: “Without the Reverend Dr.
Silvester’s assistance, the operations at Vella Lavella undoubtedly would have
required a considerably longer time and would have cost many more
American lives.” A year after Archie Silvester first encountered coastwatchers
Henry Josselyn and Robert Keenan, Vella Lavella was securely in Allied
hands and, on October 21, 1943, he departed the island.25
The final aspect of Silvester’s Medal for Merit award citation addresses his
role, “at the risk of his own life,” to rescue “more than thirty” downed airmen
who found refuge on Vella Lavella. The rescue of downed airmen took place
over many months prior to the August 12–September 5, 1943, timeframe
established in the citation. Lt. Keenan described two specific incidents that
exemplified Silvester’s aid to downed American airmen:
About February 3rd. 1943 friendly natives from
KOLOMBANGARA, and who had been under his [Silvester’s]
influence for many months, rescued a U.S. Marine Corps Airman,
Sgt. Feliton, and brought him to BILUA; where I happened to be
at the time, Rev. Sylvester [sic] rendered first aid, of which he has
a very good knowledge, cared for and looked after him for four
days and made available canoe transport to enable me to take Sgt.
Feliton, during daylight hours, to Sandfly Bay where he was to be
picked up by P.B.Y.
About the 7th. February 1943, natives rescued another U.S.
Marine Corps Airman, Lieutenant G. De Blanc and brought him
to BILUA where Rev. Sylvester [sic] rendered all assistance
11
possible and again made canoe transport available for me to take
Lieutenant De Blanc to Sandfly Bay.26
Documents in Silvester’s award file indicate that on or about June 2, 1944,
Lt. Gen. Millard F. Harmon formally recommended the Medal for Merit
award. As Commanding General, US Army Forces in the South Pacific,
Harmon had been thoroughly involved in the planning and implementation of
the Vella Lavella operation, but the initial focus of the proposed decoration
was Silvester’s role in the rescue of downed airmen. Since air operations were
a significant component of the Solomon Islands campaign and Harmon was a
combat pilot (dating back to World War I) with several previous air
commands, the emphasis on downed airmen is not surprising.27
In July 1944 the Commander, Thirteenth (Army) Air Force, requested that
Australian Naval Intelligence provide information concerning Silvester’s
activities on Vella Lavella. The Australians were asked to provide “available
information concerning his valorous actions, number of American airmen
saved, conditions of accomplishment, witnesses and so forth.”28 The
Thirteenth Air Force was administratively part of Harmon’s command.29 The
supporting documentation was assembled and returned by Cmdr. R. B. M.
Long, Director of (Australian) Naval Intelligence, who had been made aware
of Silvester’s contributions by way of Josselyn’s earlier (1943) coastwatching
report.30 As the “available information” was returned it became clear that the
extent of Archie Silvester’s service went far beyond the praiseworthy
endeavor of aiding downed airmen.
The supporting material that Long provided relied heavily on reports by
Josselyn and Keenan, but the response from Cmdr. J. C. McManus,
Supervising Intelligence Officer (Australian), North Eastern Area, was also
notable. In a letter dated July 22, 1944, McManus advised Long that “General
12
[Everett E.] Brown expressed pleasure that suitable recognition of Reverend
Silvester’s services is being considered and said that both he and General
[Robert B.] McClure would be happy to supply Com. 13th Air Force with
information and recommendations if desired.”31 Since McClure had been in
command of American ground operations on Vella Lavella and Brown was
commanding officer of the principal infantry component of the landing force,
their support for the medal was important. McManus’s memorandum was
included with other supporting documents that advanced through American
military channels. Long, who surely recognized the significance of the
endorsements by McClure and Brown, emphasized their support for the
award in a July 28, 1944, letter to the Commander, Thirteenth Air Force.32
Consistent with regulation and protocol concerning foreign awards,
Silvester’s award recommendation was forwarded to the State Department
for “clearance” on December 26, 1945.33 Silvester’s award certificate is
imprinted with a date of January 12, 1946, but the date imprinted on the
certificate is misleading. Various transmittal documents in the Archives II
award file indicate that President Truman would not have actually signed
Silvester’s award certificate and citation until sometime between January 28
and February 1, 1946.
In a letter dated January 28, 1946, the Chairman of the Medal for Merit
Board (established by executive order to consider award recommendations)
advised President Truman that the board had “favorably considered”
Silvester’s award recommendation. The unsigned award documents were
enclosed with the January 28 letter to President Truman.34 In a letter dated
February 1, 1946, the Secretary of War was advised that President Truman
had approved Silvester’s award. In the same letter, the Secretary of War was
asked to “obtain clearance by the countries of which the prospective recipients
13
are citizens [in Silvester’s case, New Zealand], and arrange for appropriate
presentation.” The signed award documents were included with the
February 1 letter to the Secretary of War.35
The file copy of Silvester’s award citation (see fig. 5) indicates that by
February 11 the medal (and, presumably, the certificate and citation) was
forwarded to the Commander, US Army Forces, Pacific, for presentation.36
The date and circumstances of the presentation have not been established.
Medal for Merit, obverse. (Photo
Medal for Merit, reverse. (Photo
14
Fig. 8. Rev. A. W. E. Silvester Medal for Merit, presentation case.
(Photo courtesy of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland,
Note: The configuration of the gold trim and lettering appearing on
Reverend Silvester’s Medal for Merit presentation case differs from
another early example seen in “A 1940’s Strike of the Medal for
Merit,” last modified January 16, 2012, at http://topicsinhistory.com/.
15
Fig. 9. Rev. A. W. Silvester Medal for Merit award certificate. (Photo courtesy of the Auckland War
Memorial Museum, Auckland, New Zealand. Silvester, Archie Wharton Ellesmere. Papers, 1908–1997.
Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2006/53.)
Note: Silvester’s award certificate depicts the Medal for Merit with a
gold-bronze ring rather than the blue enamel ring which had been
approved for the final design of the medal. This anomaly is discussed
in Postscript 9, “Medal for Merit Postscripts,” Philip J. Schlegel, last
modified August 27, 2013, http://topicsinhistory.com/.
16
Fig. 10. Rev. A. W. Silvester Medal for Merit award citation. (Photo courtesy of the Auckland War
Memorial Museum, Auckland, New Zealand. Silvester, Archie Wharton Ellesmere. Papers, 1908–1997.
Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2006/53.)
17
Conspicuously absent from Silvester’s award citation is any reference to his
considerable role in the rescue of about 160 US sailors and marines who
survived the sinking of the light cruiser USS Helena (CL 50) in the Kula Gulf
during the early morning hours of July 6, 1943. The Battle of Kula Gulf was
one of many naval engagements fought in a vital sea lane, utilized by Japanese
naval forces in the central Solomons for troop transport and supply,
commonly referred to as “The Slot” (see fig. 2).37
When a US naval task force engaged the Japanese ships, the Helena was
struck by three Japanese torpedoes and quickly sank. John Domagalski’s
account of the battle indicates that 168 sailors were killed in the initial attack,
735 were rescued at sea, and eighty-eight more got to shore on New Georgia
and were rescued. Despite various rescue efforts, over 160 suffering sailors
and marines remained adrift at sea. Over the next several days they endured
all manner of physical and mental deprivation, some dying of wounds and
others simply swimming or slipping away to their deaths.38
The remaining Helena survivors eventually reached the shores of Vella
Lavella. Multiple historical narratives recount the story of the Helena
survivors and Silvester’s extraordinary role in their rescue. Lt. Josselyn
provided a detailed, first-hand version in his coastwatching report. An excerpt
of Josselyn’s report, located in Silvester’s Medal for Merit award file at
Archives II, detailed the events as follows:
18
Commentary
concerning
USS Helena
survivors.
19
20
Fig. 11. Excerpt from Josselyn Report. (Enclosure D, “References to Rev. A.W. Silvester in Report by Lieut.
H. A. Josselyn, R.A.N.V.R., dealing with Coast-watching activities on Vella Lavella Island,” n.d.; File 222,
Box 1, Medal for Merit Case Files, 1942–1948; Entry 26, Record Group 130; National Archives at College
Park, MD.)
21
It seems incredible that Silvester’s Medal for Merit award citation does not
mention his role in the rescue of the USS Helena survivors, but there is a
plausible explanation. The formal award recommendation was initiated by
Millard F. Harmon, a US Army general. The period of service for the award
falls within the timeframe of US Army operations on Vella Lavella. It is
evident that the award was supported by the army officers who directed US
ground operations (McClure and Brown). Perhaps most importantly,
Silvester’s award recommendation was processed through War Department
channels. This detail is significant. During the Second World War, the War
Department and the Department of the Navy were separate cabinet-level
agencies. By regulation, Medal for Merit recommendations were to be
“forwarded through the appropriate channels of the agency concerned”
which, in Silvester’s case, was the War Department.39
The rescue of the Helena survivors was a navy operation that had been
completed before the period of service established in Silvester’s award
recommendation. It is arguable that the rescue of the Helena survivors was
considered to be a navy matter, outside the jurisdiction of the War
Department and, therefore, was not included in Silvester’s award
recommendation or citation.
On the inside front cover of Josselyn’s coastwatching report there is a
handwritten question: “Have any steps ever been taken to honour Rev.
Silvester?”40 Archie Silvester’s presence on Vella Lavella during the campaign
in the Solomon Islands was a tactical gift to the Allied forces. To the airmen,
sailors, soldiers, and marines who found themselves on Vella Lavella, Archie
Silvester’s presence was a godsend. It is not clear who posed the question
written on Josselyn’s report but, fortunately, the answer is “yes.”
22
NOTES
Many of the documents located in Silvester’s Medal for Merit award file at the US National
Archives (Archives II) are also located in coastwatching-related files at the National Archives of
Australia (NAA). In cases where a document is located at both the US National Archives and the
National Archives of Australia, the US National Archives document is cited.
1
AN ACT To authorize officers and enlisted men of the armed forces of the United States to
accept decorations, orders, medals, and emblems tendered them by governments of cobelligerent
nations or other American republics and to create the decorations to be known as the “Legion of
Merit,” and the “Medal for Merit,” Pub. L. No. 77-671, 56 Stat. 662 (1942).
2
Eric A. Feldt, The Coastwatchers (New York: Oxford University Press, 1946), 3–6,
http://babel.hathitrust .org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000063846145 ;view=1up;seq=7. John N. Rentz,
Marines in the Central Solomons (n.p.: Historical Branch, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps,
1952), 4–5, http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-M-CSol/index.html. John Miller,
Jr., Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul, United States Army in World War II, The War in the
Pacific (Washington, DC: Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army,
1959), 24–25, http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Rabaul/index.html.
3
Henry I. Shaw, Jr. and Douglas T. Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, History of U.S. Marine Corps
Operations in World War II, vol. 2 (n.p.: Historical Branch, G-3 Division, Headquarters, U.S.
Marine Corps, 1963), 5–6, http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/II/index.html.
4
Charles D. Melson, Up the Slot: Marines in the Central Solomons, Marines in World War II
Commemorative Series (Washington, DC: History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S.
Marine Corps, 1993), 1–3, http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-C-CSol/. Miller,
Cartwheel, 173. Shaw and Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, 152–153.
5
Feldt, The Coastwatchers, 108–109. In February 1943 Lt. Keenan left Vella Lavella for
Bougainville. Keenan was replaced by Sub-Lt. Robert Firth. Feldt, The Coastwatchers, 116. On
some documents Henry Josselyn’s name appears as Henry A. Josselyn and on others it appears
as Henry E. Josselyn. The author questioned the National Archives of Australia regarding this
discrepancy. A research officer investigated the matter and was confident that there was only one
Lt. Henry Josselyn in the Royal Australian Navy. William Edwards, e-mail message to author,
June 9, 2015.
6
For a photo and additional information concerning Merle Farland, see Walter Lord, Lonely
Vigil: Coastwatchers of the Solomons (New York: Viking Press, 1977), 107–178 passim. Merle
Farland left Vella Lavella on December 3, 1942, to assist coastwatcher Donald Kennedy at Segi,
23
New Georgia. Despite her proven capability and stated wishes, Farland was evacuated from Segi
on December 21, 1942. Lord, Lonely Vigil, 116–118.
Enclosure D, “References to Rev. A.W. Silvester in Report by Lieut. H. A. Josselyn,
R.A.N.V.R., dealing with Coast-watching activities on Vella Lavella Island,” n.d.; File 222,
Box 1, Medal for Merit Case Files, 1942–1948 (File 222, MM Case Files); Entry 26, Record
Group 130 (RG 130); National Archives at College Park, MD (Archives II). It appears that
“Enclosure D” was part of a packet of documents included with an August 4, 1944,
memorandum from C. E. van Hook, Deputy Commander, Seventh [US] Fleet, to the Commander
in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, relative to “the case of the Reverend A. W. Silvester.”
7
8
National Archives of Australia: Navy Office [IV], Department of the Navy [II] - Naval
Historical Records Section; B3476, Coastwatching files, single number series, 17 Sep 1919 12 Nov 1965; 57, Report by Lieut HE Josselyn RANVR - Coastwatching, 1943 - 1944;
paragraph 108, p. 57. [Digital document 64 of 151.]
Memorandum, J. R. Keenan, “Reverend A.W. Sylvester [sic], Vella Lavella Island,”
July 27, 1944; File 222, MM Case Files; RG 130; Archives II.
9
10
Enclosure A, Untitled letter by H. E. Josselyn, October 25, 1943; File 222, MM Case Files;
RG 130; Archives II. It appears that “Enclosure A” was also part of the packet of documents
included with an August 4, 1944, memorandum from C. E. van Hook, Deputy Commander,
Seventh [US] Fleet, to the Commander in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, relative to “the case of
the Reverend A. W. Silvester.”
11
Miller, Cartwheel, 173.
12
Rentz, Marines in the Central Solomons, 131.
Miller, Cartwheel, 174. Miller incorrectly identifies Silvester as a bishop. “Bishop” or
“Bish” was actually a term of endearment given to Silvester by grateful survivors of the USS
Helena who had been rescued from Vella Lavella in July 1943. Lord, Lonely Vigil, 244. John J.
Domagalski, Sunk in the Kula Gulf: The Final Voyage of the USS Helena and the Incredible
Story of Her Survivors in World War II (Washington, D.C.: Potomac Books, 2012), 174.
13
14
Miller, Cartwheel, 174–175. Rentz, Marines in the Central Solomons, 131. Shaw and Kane,
Isolation of Rabaul, 154. The supposed number of Japanese survivors differs. See NAA: B3476,
Josselyn Report, 57; paragraphs 87–88, p. 50–51. [Digital documents 57–58 of 151.] National
Archives of Australia: Navy Office [IV], Department of the Navy [II] - Naval Historical Records
Section; B3476, Coastwatching files, single number series, 17 Sep 1919 - 12 Nov 1965; 37A,
Reports from Coastwatchers in the Solomon Islands Area, 1942 - 1944; “Report by Lieut. Firth,
R.A.N.V.R.” [Digital documents 56–57 of 239.]
Miller, Cartwheel, 174–175. “Citation to Accompany the Award of the Medal for Merit to
the Reverend A. W. Silvester,” n.d.; File 222, MM Case Files; RG 130; Archives II.
15
16
Citation; File 222, MM Case Files; RG 130; Archives II.
24
17
Miller, Cartwheel, 175. NAA: B3476, Josselyn Report 57; paragraph 88, p. 51. [Digital
document 58 of 151.]
18
Miller, Cartwheel, 179-183. Shaw and Kane, Isolation of Rabaul, 155. According to Miller,
the initial infantry component of the landing force was the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 35th Infantry.
Soldiers from the advance party (elements of the 103rd Infantry) secured the beach area during
the landing operations. Air support flew from Munda and Segi Point on New Georgia. Miller,
Cartwheel, 179.
19
20
21
Reg Newell, The Battle for Vella Lavella (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 2016),
100-101. Miller, Cartwheel, 183.
22
23
Newell, Vella Lavella, 3. Miller, Cartwheel, 180. Newell states that one purpose of his
book was to challenge Miller’s assertion that there was no real ground combat on Vella Lavella.
Newell identifies Silvester’s decoration as the “Medal of Merit” rather than the Medal for Merit.
“Medal of Merit” is a common misnomer. Newell, Vella Lavella, 190.
24
NAA: B3476, Josselyn Report 57; paragraph 89, p. 51. [Digital document 58 of 151.]
25
Citation; File 222, MM Case Files; RG 130; Archives II. Enclosure C, J. C. McManus,
Supervising Intelligence Officer, North Eastern Area to Director of Naval Intelligence,
Melbourne, July 22, 1944; File 222, MM Case Files; RG 130; Archives II. Newell provides brief
comments regarding Silvester’s post-war return to Vella Lavella. Newell, Vella Lavella, 190.
Memorandum, J. R. Keenan, “Reverend A.W. Sylvester [sic], Vella Lavella Island,”
July 27, 1944; File 222, MM Case Files; RG 130; Archives II. NAA records include Keenan’s
transmittal memorandum. National Archives of Australia: Navy Office [IV], Department of the
Navy [II] -Naval Historical Records Section; B3476, Coastwatching files, single number series,
17 Sep 1919 - 12 Nov 1965; 105A, Awards to Coast Watchers, 1942 - 1952; “Reverend A.W.
Sylvester [sic] - Vella Lavella,” 28 July 1944. [Digital documents 71–73 of 208.] Also see
National Archives of Australia: Navy Office [IV], Department of the Navy [II] - Naval Historical
Records Section; B3476, Coastwatching files, single number series, 17 Sep 1919 - 12 Nov 1965;
59, Report by Lieut J R Keenan RANVR on Coast Watching Activities at Vella Lavellor [sic]
Island & Bougainville Island, 1942 - 1943. [Digital copy available online.]
26
27
Letter, Richmond B. Keech, Secretary [Medal for Merit Board] to Honorable Donald
Russell, December 26, 1945; File 222, MM Case Files; RG 130; Archives II. The date of the
recommendation is established in Memorandum, Adjutant General to Commander-in-Chief, US
Army Forces, Pacific, February 6, 1946; File 222, MM Case Files; RG 130; Archives II. There
are two versions of Harmon’s recommendation in the award file. “Lieutenant General Millard F.
25
Harmon,” US Air Force, http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/
108084/lieutenant-general-millard-f-harmon.aspx.
NAA: B3476, Awards to Coastwatchers, 105A; “Navy Office – Copy of Message,” T.O.O.
171142K/July 44, Com. 13th Air Force to Australian Naval Intelligence. [Digital document 80 of
208.] National Archives of Australia: Navy Office [IV], Department of the Navy [II] - Naval
Historical Records Section; B3476, Coastwatching files, single number series, 17 Sep 1919 12 Nov 1965; 105, Awards & Mentions to Coastwatching Personnel, 1943 - 1945; B. M. Fitch,
Colonel, A.G.D., Adjutant General to Commander, Allied Naval Forces, Southwest Pacific Area,
July 15, 1944. [Digital document 345 of 543.]
28
29
Air Force Historical Division, The Army Air Forces in World War II, ed. Wesley Frank
Craven and James Lea Cate, vol. 4, The Pacific: Guadalcanal to Saipan, August 1942 to July
1944 (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1950), 74. Miller, Cartwheel, 12n, 67-70. A
discussion of the convoluted Allied command structure in the Pacific Theater, including an
organizational chart, is found in Miller, Cartwheel, 67-70.
NAA: B3476, Awards to Coastwatchers, 105A; “Navy Office – Copy of Message,” T.O.O.
200201Z/July ‘44, D.N.I. Melbourne to Commander 13th Air Force. [Digital document 79 of
208.]
30
31
Enclosure C, J. C. McManus, Supervising Intelligence Officer, North Eastern Area to
Director of Naval Intelligence, Melbourne, July 22, 1944; File 222, MM Case Files; RG 130;
Archives II. It appears that this memorandum was also part of the packet of documents included
with an August 4, 1944, memorandum from C. E. van Hook, Deputy Commander, Seventh [US]
Fleet, to the Commander in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, relative to “the case of the Reverend
A. W. Silvester.”
32
Memorandum, RBM Long, Director of Naval Intelligence [Australia] to The Commander,
U.S. 13th Army Air Force, July 28, 1944; File 222, MM Case Files; RG 130; Archives II. Miller,
Cartwheel, 177. Silvester’s Medal for Merit award file does not contain written statements or
affidavits from either McClure or Brown.
33
Letter, Richmond B. Keech, Secretary [Medal for Merit Board] to Honorable Donald
Russell, Assistant Secretary of State, December 26, 1945; File 222, MM Case Files; RG 130;
Archives II.
34
Letter, Owen J. Roberts, Chairman [Medal for Merit Board] to The President, January 28,
1946; File 222, MM Case Files; RG 130; Archives II.
35
Letter, Richmond B. Keech, Administrative Assistant to the President to The Honorable,
The Secretary of War, February 1, 1946; File 222, MM Case Files; RG 130; Archives II.
Silvester was one of six foreign awards included in Keech’s February 1, 1946, transmittal to the
Secretary of War.
36
26
“A Brief History of U.S. Navy Cruisers, Part II – World War II (1941–1943),” US Navy,
http://www.navy.mil/navydata/nav_legacy.asp?id=136. Feldt, The Coastwatchers, 107.
37
38
Domagalski, Sunk, 102,118, 125, 193. Lord, Lonely Vigil, 236–253. For an invaluable
archive of USS Helena-related memories, reports, and photos see “USS Helena CL-50,”
Welcome to the USS Helena Web Page, USS Helena Organization, http://www.usshelena.org/.
39
Medal for Merit Board, Regulations, Title 22—Foreign Relations, Chapter IV—Medal for
Merit Board, “Part 800—Regulations Governing the Medal for Merit,” Federal Register 8, no.
82 (April 27, 1943): 5435–5436.
40
NAA: B3476, Josselyn Report, 57; inside cover. [Digital document 2 of 151.]
27

ARCHIE WHARTON ELLESMERE SILVESTER

Transcription

Similar documents

Sunday Brunch 2016

Layout 1 (Page 1)

docimology

Agony - Deseret News

Page 8 - ObserverEnterprise

February 2015 - New Homes for Old Medals

File

al cosentino - mcsrealestatewebsites.com

Here - BIG - FMS Chapter

awards - City of Sacramento