Kissing Point eagle monument: Benny Miles, 93, recalls WWII era-theft of prized US Air Force memorial

The reprehensible theft of a war monument in Townsville has reminded one old timer about the actions of two larrikin Aussie soldiers during WWII. See how the Yanks responded.

The reprehensible theft of a war monument in Townsville has reminded one old timer about the actions of two larrikin Australian soldiers who stole a golden eagle from a US hospital base in World War II.

Benny Miles, a 93-year-old Townsville retiree, said he was 17 toward the end of WWII when two Aussie air men helped themselves to the eagle atop a flagpole outside the United States 13th Station Hospital on the corner of Ross River Road and Hatchett Street in Aitkenvale.

“Two young fellas – I don’t know whether they climbed up the pole or whether the flagpole had a hinge and they let it down – but they got the eagle off it and they belonged to the Royal Australian Air Force.”

Mr Miles said the outcry was “like the end of the bloody world”.

“They had the MPs [Military Police] out, they had the bloody civil police out, they looked for it for a week but they couldn’t find it.”

Patients of the acute medical or surgical class in the Townsville area were hospitalised at the United States 13th Station Hospital on the corner of Ross River Road and Hatchett Street. The 13th Station Hospital at Aitkenvale initially consisted of 250 beds in late March 1942. This could expand in an emergency with 200 extra beds. Picture: Supplied

The former panel beater said the pair eventually returned the eagle, larger than the 20cm tall silver eagle stolen from atop the United States 5th Air Force Memorial in Townsville on Christmas Day.

“It was solid gold [in colour], it wasn’t a wood one, it was a good one … the Yanks didn’t do nothing by half.”

Benny Miles, 93, at his South Townsville home. Picture: Evan Morgan

He said while the WWII incident could be considered a practical joke more than anything else, the most recent incident was more troubling.

“I don’t know about anyone else but I just don’t like those sorts of things happening to war memorials.”

Townsville RSL President Bill Whitburn, OAM, meanwhile said the theft of the silver eagle at Kissing Point, North Ward, was a disgrace.

“It’s deplorable that someone would even think to deface a memorial,” he said.

“Even though it’s not a memorial for Australian soldiers, it’s a memorial dedicated to the deaths of US soldiers.”

Police are investigating the theft of an eagle from a monument at Kissing Point, North Ward on Christmas day 2022.

He said the soldiers fought to help protect Australia, Southeast Asia and Asia from Japanese tyranny.

Mr Whitburn said the US 5th Air Force saw action against the Japanese in Papua New Guinea from 1942 to 1945, the Philippines from 1944 to 1945 and the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Originally published as Kissing Point eagle monument: Benny Miles, 93, recalls WWII era-theft of prized US Air Force memorial