Duck’s Gallantry

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 63, 17 March 1944, Page 6

Duck’s Gallantry

The New Zealand duck, Siwash 3. which unwittingly took part in one of n the Pacific’s most bitterly-fought * actions when he landed last November _ on Tarawa Island with his Marine f ] Corps owners, has been cited for galv lantry. His commendation, which shows i. that even the slaughter of Tarawa did s not dim the Americans’ sense of r ' humour, facetiously reads: “For cour* 5 ageous action and wounds received on Tarawa, in the Gilbert Islands, Novern.l ber, 19411. With utter disregard for his - own personal safety, Siwash, on reach ing the beach, without hesitation cngaged the enemy in fierce combat, L t namely, one rooster of Japanese ancess try, and, although wounded on the head »*’ by repeated pecks, routed the opposis tion. lie refused medical aid until all wounded members of his gun section 0 had been taken care of.” Siwash be e came a Marine Corps mascot when the i'. battalion which now claims ownership *i of him was encamped in New Zealand. He was the onlv mascot which landed J on the island and the only one from New Zealand which safely made the it voyage to it. The other was g pig r which did not survive the marines’ " hunger. When he arrived at Tarawa * Siwash went over the side of one of the r , landing craft on the first day of the as>f sault and he was under fire for 30 I- hours. Perhaps the experiences then 1 acount for what the battalion’s com- . " man ding officer. Lieutenant - Colonel • r Presley M. Rixey, says is the duck’s s favourite sport. That is drinking beer. J