This week's hero is...
Sir Jacob Vouza
Jacob Vouza was born on the island of Guadalcanal in 1892. In 1916, he joined the Solomon Island Police Force and rose the rank of sergeant. For the next 25 years, he acted as a coast watcher on Guadalcanal. In mid 1941, he officially retired from the police force. Little did he know, he would face a much more difficult challenge in his retirement than when he was on the force.
In August of 1942, armies from two nations came to Guadalcanal, the United States and the Empire of Japan. They quickly set up positions on opposite sides of the island and fierce combat began. The presence of two hostile armies put Guadalcanal's local people in a dangerous position. If any of them gave aide to either side, they risked being murdered by the enemy.
Because the Japanese had already killed many people during their assault on the Solomon Islands, Jacob decided to side with the Americans. As soon as the marines had established a toe-hold on Guadalcanal, he met up with them at the mouth of a river called the Ilu (it was mistakenly labeled on the marines' maps as, the Tenaru). Jacob offered to act as a guide and a scout against the Japanese. Realizing his value, the Americans accepted his offer and gave him the rank of Sergeant Major. It was not long before his services would be required.
On August 8, the US Navy was ambushed and soundly defeated off the nearby Savo Island. This left the American marines on Guadalcanal isolated and unsupported against the Japanese. The need for local guides quickly became apparent. For the next two weeks, the situation on Guadalcanal became critical. On many occasions, the local scouts made the difference between life and death for the marines. They were able to spy on enemy troop movements, scout out difficult terrain, rescue downed airmen, and guide them back to friendly lines. This bought precious time for the marines to construct an airfield (Henderson Airfield) on Guadalcanal.
While he was scouting for the Japanese, Jacob Vouza was captured by an enemy patrol. Upon finding a small American flag in Jacob's pocket, they quickly deduced that he was a spy and began to brutally interrogate him. When they questioned him and Jacob refused to answer, they tied him to a tree and began clubbing him with rifle butts. When he still refused to give any answers, the Japanese began stabbing him in his arms and legs with bayonets and swords. Even then, Jacob Vouza refused to talk. They then stabbed him in the torso until Jacob was almost completely covered in blood. He finally passed out from blood loss. The Japanese than left him for dead.
However, Jacob awoke an hour later and was able to gnaw his way through the ropes. He then limped more than four miles back to Henderson Field. Once there he informed the Americans that a large Japanese army was approaching the perimeter and would most likely be attacking from the Tenaru River. Upon receiving this information, the American marines quickly sent reinforcements to the river and set up a defensive perimeter.
On the night of August 21, they caught the Japanese in a crossfire and annihilated the entire force. In what became known as the Battle of the Tenaru, the Americans killed more than 700 Japanese soldiers while losing only 44. This battle was the turning the turning point of the Guadalcanal Campaign. The entire campaign would last more than six months before Guadalcanal was declared secure. It was one of the first and most important victories ever achieved in the War in the Pacific.
Despite his severe wounds, Jacob Vouza survived. As soon as he was well enough, he was back in the field and continued act as a scout for the rest of the campaign. For his heroism, he was awarded the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit by the US government. After the war, he worked as a teacher for disabled children on Guadalcanal. In 1979, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. He passed away on March 15, 1984.
When it comes to World War II, most of America has forgotten the valuable assistance that was provided to American soldiers and marines by indigenous peoples across the Pacific Ocean. They made critical differences in several key battles that helped the US triumph against Japan. They also saved many American servicemen from death or capture. Sir Jacob Vouza was one of those individuals. He wasn't an American citizen and yet he made a major difference for our country. I believe that he should be remembered as one of America's greatest heroes of World War II.
https://ww2db.com/person_bio.php?person_id=212
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2015/08/18/jacob-vouzas-defiant-stand-during-the-guadalcanal-campaign/
https://pacificwrecks.com/people/veterans/vouza/index.html
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