Honour for our heroes
SURVIVORS and descendants of those who fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea 75 years ago were yesterday among hundreds to attend a moving seaside service in Cardwell.
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SURVIVORS and descendants of those who fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea 75 years ago were yesterday among hundreds to attend a moving seaside service in Cardwell.
While the battle itself took place 800km offshore, where more than 600 lives and eight ships were lost, the horrors still hit so close to home.
USS Lexington survivor Cecil Wiswell, now 92, proudly led a short parade in a military Jeep alongside his son Tom before laying the final wreath at the permanent memorial.
He travelled from Washington to Cardwell for the service, five years after his visit for the 70th anniversary. He will be guest of honour again at services in Townsville today.
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Dan Tehan, representing Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, said while the bonds between Australia and the US were forged in World War I, they only strengthened in the Pacific, and are crucial in today’s uncertain international security climate.
“Australia and the United States continue to work with our allies to address new security threats around the world, to ensure – in the words of (former prime minister Robert Menzies) – ‘the enemies of freedom shall not pass’,” he said.
“We must be forever grateful to those who have put their lives – and who continue to put their lives – on the line, so that we might have a free and peaceful world.”
US Consul General Valerie Fowler said during the battle, the US answered Australia’s call at a time when it meant the most.
“May the bravery of those who fought on the Coral Sea serve as an inspiration the Americans and Australians alike as we confront the challenges ahead,” she said.
Ms Fowler also read a statement to the crowd on behalf of US President Donald Trump.
“By combining our forces, we fought shoulder to shoulder, halted the advance and preserved the security of Australia,” Mr Trump wrote.
Mr Trump stated that while the loss of life during the battle was tremendous, so were the post-war benefits.
“The battle led to the strong and important alliance between the United States and Australia,” he wrote.
“We honour the bravery and sacrifice of those American and Australian heroes.”
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett said the battle was the closest the Japanese naval force got to Australia’s coast.
“It is the spirit of sacrifice and dedication that we come here today to honour and to give thanks as individuals, as a community and as nations,” he said. “Let us also be mindful of the courage we expect from them as they fight for us just as those brave soldiers did in 1942.”
Lexington sacrifice remembered by township
THE bond between Australia and the United States was obvious at yesterday’s Battle of the Coral Sea commemoration in Cardwell.
But nowhere did it shine brighter than with JoAnn Cracknell.
Ms Cracknell has lived in Australia for 33 years as a dual citizen and has called Cardwell home for 14 years.
Dressed in a red, white and blue sequined hat and vest, Ms Cracknell was proudly representing her family and more specifically her father-in-law Admiral Howard “Duke” Dueker at the 75th anniversary memorial service.
Captain Dueker, as he was ranked during World War II, was the doctor sent on to the ill-fated USS Lexington during the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942 to treat some of the wounded.
“He flew in and flew them out before it sank,” Ms Cracknell said.
“They had asked that the wounded stay on board and he said he wouldn’t leave without taking survivors because he thought that he could save their lives.
“He did and many lasted well after the war.”
Ms Cracknell said her family history’s meant she had a special connection with Cardwell. Her late husband was a captain in the Special Forces in the Vietnam War and was wounded twice. He previously laid the wreaths for the USS Lexington for his dad.
“He was absolutely amazed that this was where his dad was and the only real full-size memorial to the Coral Sea battle,” Ms Cracknell said.
“Without the American Navy and Air Force coming in, we wouldn’t be speaking English because this was the change in the war in the Pacific.”
Originally published as Honour for our heroes
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