Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana
Encyclopedia
Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana were indigenous people of Solomon Islands
, of native Melanesian descent, who found John F. Kennedy
and his surviving PT-109
crew following the boat's collision with the Japanese destroyer Amagiri
near Plum Pudding Island
on 1 August 1943. They were from the Western Province
of the Solomon Islands.
, Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana were tasked with patrolling the waters of the Solomon Sea
near Gizo
with Australian coastwatcher
Sub-Lieutenant
Arthur Reginald Evans
, who manned a secret observation post at the top of Kolombangara
island's Mount Veve
volcano. Evans had spotted an explosion on 1 August, and later decoded news that the explosion he had witnessed was probably from the lost PT-109. On 2 August Gasa and Kumana were dispatched by Evans to search in their dugout canoe
for possible PT-109 survivors. Kennedy and his men swam to tiny Olasana island and survived on its coconuts and fresh water for six days before they were found by the two islander men. The canoe couldn't accommodate all of the PT-109 crewmen safely, and the islanders and English-speaking crew had a difficulty communicating together. In absence of writing utensils, Biuku Gasa suggested that Kennedy should inscribe a message on the husk of a coconut he had climbed plucked from a nearby palm tree. This carved message, after rowing their dugout canoe at great risk through 35 nmi (64.8 km) of hostile waters patrolled by the Japanese, was then delivered to the nearest Allied base at Rendova. They enabled the ensuing return to Olasana and the successful American rescue operation.
in 1961, but the pair was duped en route in Honiara, the Solomon Islands capital, by American colonial officials who sent other representatives instead. Another version of the story is that they were turned back by American officials at the airport. As far as is known, no one has since offered them a visit to the United States nor with any American president.
However, in recognition of his help, Biuku Gasa lived in a house paid for by the Kennedy family ($5k), National Geographic ($5k) and the balance ($15k) by Brian and Sue Mitchell. The BBC reference that the Kennedy family paid for the entire house is incorrect. The house was designed by Brian Mitchell in co-operation with a Brisbane-based Australian architect. Melody Miller, Senator Edward Kennedy
's Press Secretary, was responsible for pulling all the parties together after being approached by Brian and Sue Mitchell. The Kennedys also constructed a house for Eroni Kumana. It fell down in the 2007 tsunami, but Kumana survived the storm.
Gasa and Kumana were interviewed by National Geographic in 2002, and can be seen on the DVD of the television special. They were presented a bust by Max Kennedy
, a son of Robert Kennedy. The National Geographic had come there as part of an expedition by the Titanic wreck hunter Robert Ballard
, who did find the wreck of the PT-109. The special was called The Search for Kennedy's PT 109
.
In 2003, a swim was organized to raise money for Biuku Gasa's community.
Gasa was still alive in August 2005 when the Pacific edition of Time magazine wrote that he was sick in the hospital. His children built a dugout canoe just like the ones the old man had made in his youth, to send to the United States "so they would not forget". Biuku Gasa died on 23 November 2005.
Eroni Kumana said he was 78 in 2003, and would have been 18 in 1943. Also schooled by Adventist missionaries, he still lives in Konqu Village, Ranongga Island. He is seen in National Geographic photographs with a hat and a T-shirt that read "I rescued JFK". Kumana created a shrine with an obelisk to JFK, and appointed him honorary chief.
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
, of native Melanesian descent, who found John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
and his surviving PT-109
Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109
PT-109 was a PT boat last commanded by Lieutenant, junior grade John F. Kennedy in the Pacific Theater during World War II...
crew following the boat's collision with the Japanese destroyer Amagiri
Japanese destroyer Amagiri
was the 15th of 24 s, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world. They served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, and remained formidable weapons systems well into the Pacific War. She...
near Plum Pudding Island
Kennedy Island
Kennedy Island is an island in the Solomon Islands that was named after John F. Kennedy. The island is remembered to be the area Lt. John F. Kennedy had aided his injured crew after his boat, the PT-109, was rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri in World War II...
on 1 August 1943. They were from the Western Province
Western Province (Solomon Islands)
Western Province is the largest of the provinces of the Solomon Islands. The area is renowned for its beautiful tropical islands, excellent diving and snorkelling, coral reefs and WWII wrecks, ecotourism lodges, and head-hunting shrines...
of the Solomon Islands.
PT-109 search and rescue
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana were tasked with patrolling the waters of the Solomon Sea
Solomon Sea
The Solomon Sea is a sea located within the Pacific Ocean. It lies between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Many major battles were fought there during World War II.-Extent:...
near Gizo
Gizo
Gizo is the capital of the Western Province in the Solomon Islands. With a population of 6,154 , it is the second largest town in the country. It is situated on Ghizo Island approximately 380 kilometers west-northwest of the capital, Honiara, and is just southwest of the larger island of Kolombangara...
with Australian coastwatcher
Coastwatchers
The Coastwatchers, also known as the Coast Watch Organisation, Combined Field Intelligence Service or Section C, Allied Intelligence Bureau, were Allied military intelligence operatives stationed on remote Pacific islands during World War II to observe enemy movements and rescue stranded Allied...
Sub-Lieutenant
Sub-Lieutenant
Sub-lieutenant is a military rank. It is normally a junior officer rank.In many navies, a sub-lieutenant is a naval commissioned or subordinate officer, ranking below a lieutenant. In the Royal Navy the rank of sub-lieutenant is equivalent to the rank of lieutenant in the British Army and of...
Arthur Reginald Evans
Arthur Reginald Evans
Arthur Reginald Evans was a shipping clerk at Paddington, a suburb of Sydney, when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 25 July 1940. He was allotted service number NX57823 and served with the 2/9th Army Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery until discharged on 9 October 1942 as a...
, who manned a secret observation post at the top of Kolombangara
Kolombangara
Kolombangara is an island in the New Georgia Islands group of the Solomon Islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean...
island's Mount Veve
Mount Veve
Mount Veve is an extinct volcano on Kolombangara, in the Solomon Islands, at . It is 1768 m tall and is the highest point of the island.- External links :*...
volcano. Evans had spotted an explosion on 1 August, and later decoded news that the explosion he had witnessed was probably from the lost PT-109. On 2 August Gasa and Kumana were dispatched by Evans to search in their dugout canoe
Dugout (boat)
A dugout or dugout canoe is a boat made from a hollowed tree trunk. Other names for this type of boat are logboat and monoxylon. Monoxylon is Greek -- mono- + ξύλον xylon -- and is mostly used in classic Greek texts. In Germany they are called einbaum )...
for possible PT-109 survivors. Kennedy and his men swam to tiny Olasana island and survived on its coconuts and fresh water for six days before they were found by the two islander men. The canoe couldn't accommodate all of the PT-109 crewmen safely, and the islanders and English-speaking crew had a difficulty communicating together. In absence of writing utensils, Biuku Gasa suggested that Kennedy should inscribe a message on the husk of a coconut he had climbed plucked from a nearby palm tree. This carved message, after rowing their dugout canoe at great risk through 35 nmi (64.8 km) of hostile waters patrolled by the Japanese, was then delivered to the nearest Allied base at Rendova. They enabled the ensuing return to Olasana and the successful American rescue operation.
Later years
Kennedy later invited Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana to attend his presidential inaugurationPresidential Inauguration
A Presidential Inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. To see detailed information on specific presidents, see the links below:* Brazilian presidential inauguration* Croatian presidential inauguration...
in 1961, but the pair was duped en route in Honiara, the Solomon Islands capital, by American colonial officials who sent other representatives instead. Another version of the story is that they were turned back by American officials at the airport. As far as is known, no one has since offered them a visit to the United States nor with any American president.
Recognition
Another scout, Alesasa Bisili, wrote of his experience during the 1942 Japanese landing at Munda in "Scouting in Western Solomons". He expressed sadness and anger over the unjust lack of recognition or award given to Solomon Islanders for their services during the war.However, in recognition of his help, Biuku Gasa lived in a house paid for by the Kennedy family ($5k), National Geographic ($5k) and the balance ($15k) by Brian and Sue Mitchell. The BBC reference that the Kennedy family paid for the entire house is incorrect. The house was designed by Brian Mitchell in co-operation with a Brisbane-based Australian architect. Melody Miller, Senator Edward Kennedy
Edward Kennedy
Edward Kennedy may refer to:*Ted Kennedy, Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy , United States Senator from Massachusetts*Edward Kennedy , journalist who first reported the German surrender in World War II*Edward Kennedy, Jr., son of U.S...
's Press Secretary, was responsible for pulling all the parties together after being approached by Brian and Sue Mitchell. The Kennedys also constructed a house for Eroni Kumana. It fell down in the 2007 tsunami, but Kumana survived the storm.
Gasa and Kumana were interviewed by National Geographic in 2002, and can be seen on the DVD of the television special. They were presented a bust by Max Kennedy
Max Kennedy
Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy – also known as Max Kennedy – is an American author and the ninth child of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy, and a member of the Kennedy family.-Early years:...
, a son of Robert Kennedy. The National Geographic had come there as part of an expedition by the Titanic wreck hunter Robert Ballard
Robert Ballard
Robert Duane Ballard is a former United States Navy officer and a professor of oceanography at the University of Rhode Island who is most noted for his work in underwater archaeology. He is most famous for the discoveries of the wrecks of the RMS Titanic in 1985, the battleship Bismarck in 1989,...
, who did find the wreck of the PT-109. The special was called The Search for Kennedy's PT 109
The Search for Kennedy's PT 109
The Search for Kennedy's PT 109 is a National Geographic television special and video. It documents the original story of John F. Kennedy's PT 109 from World War II, and the project of Dr. Robert Ballard's successful search for the wreck of the boat...
.
In 2003, a swim was organized to raise money for Biuku Gasa's community.
Lives
Biuku Gasa was born 27 July 1923, in Madou, Solomon Islands, and lived in Vavudu Village, Kauvi Island, in the Western Solomons. He went to a Seventh-day Adventist missionary school, but did not speak English well. After the war Gasa and his wife Nelma had six children. They lived off coconuts and crops. They also caught fish in Vonavona lagoon. Gasa was the local patriarch, as most of the residents are descendants of the "old man" – as he was known – and he rarely left the island.Gasa was still alive in August 2005 when the Pacific edition of Time magazine wrote that he was sick in the hospital. His children built a dugout canoe just like the ones the old man had made in his youth, to send to the United States "so they would not forget". Biuku Gasa died on 23 November 2005.
Eroni Kumana said he was 78 in 2003, and would have been 18 in 1943. Also schooled by Adventist missionaries, he still lives in Konqu Village, Ranongga Island. He is seen in National Geographic photographs with a hat and a T-shirt that read "I rescued JFK". Kumana created a shrine with an obelisk to JFK, and appointed him honorary chief.
See also
- Austronesian peoples
- History of the Solomon IslandsHistory of the Solomon IslandsThe human history of the Solomon Islands, in the Melanesia subregion of Oceania in the western Pacific Ocean, spans over 30,000 years.-Original Austronesians:...
- List of islands of the Solomon Islands
External links
- National Geographic News "JFK's Island Rescuers Honored at Emotional Reunion" Ted Chamberlain 20 November 2002
- Taem Blong Faet: World War Two in Melanesia Journal article by Franz Broswimmer; Oceania, Vol. 64, 1993
- "Eroni Kumana Gets His Flag" Associated Press, 2 September 2007