Yangoru-Saussia to Accord Recognition to their War Hero Yauwiga

Sergeant Paul Yauwiga, known as Yauwiga, a war hero from Kubalia, East Sepik Province will finally be accorded the recognition that he deserves by his own people. The Yangoru-Saussia District, through the DDA, yesterday announced a K1 million project to build his monument and a health centre to be named after him at his Marinumbo hamlet. Witnessing this significant event was four of his seven children and his people of Kusaun and Marinumbo who have long awaited this announcement.

Local MP and Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru, said: “Yauwiga was one of the greatest war heroes of this country, but he has never been accorded the recognition that he deserved. We have decided to take it upon ourselves to give him that recognition. I am so happy to announce that Yauwiga’s own people have decided, through our DDA, that we will build the monument ourselves in partnership with the PNG Defence Force. We are not only going to build a monument. We will also build a health centre to honour him. We want our children to pay respects to him and to show them that it was because of our forefathers like him who gave their best to the war efforts for the freedom we enjoy today.”

Yauwiga joined the New Guinea Police Force in 1930 and by October 1941, just before the Japanese invasion in early 1942, he attained the rank of sergeant. He was attached to the Allied Intelligence Bureau on Bougainville in February 1942. In November 1943, Yauwiga participated in the allied landings at Torokina and led guerrilla bands in northern Bougainville. With M Special Unit he guided the USA 3rd Marines at Torokina beachhead. In October 1943, he was presented with the Loyal Services Medal, crediting him for showing remarkable bravery and for his positive influence on local people. In November 1944, Yauwiga was flown to Queensland to teach Australian troops jungle survival skills.

June 1945, Yauwiga had an accident with a flare trying to signal a plane airdropping supplies. The flare failed to ignite and when he went to investigate, it flared into his face.  The subsequent explosion severed his left hand and left him blind in both eyes. He was evacuated to Holland Park in Brisbane, Australia, for treatment in November 1945 where he underwent a cornea transplant operation. One eye grafted well and Yauwiga became a rare being, the only melanesian fuzzy wuzzy angel with a blue eye. He spent three months in Australian hospitals before returning to Papua New Guinea.

After a very active participation in the war where he was involved in fighting the Japanese, passing valuable information to the Allies and rescuing many downed airmen, his service career was over. His injuries precluded rejoining the police force and he retired to his Marinumbo hamlet in May 1946. 

But this was not the end of Yauwiga’s story. In 1948, he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal, on top of his other awards for service and gallantry. The DCM ceremony was witnessed by 80,000 Sepik people and officials. Yauwiga was more than a war hero to them. He was also a great community leader. The school he helped to found at Boram produced Papua New Guinea’s first Prime Minister, the Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.

In the 1970s, he was flown to Canberra to meet Queen Elizabeth during her Australian tour.

Yauwiga did not hesitate to offer political advice, which was recorded by a reporter as: "Me tellim Missis Queen: 'Now Queen, I'm one fella pickaninny. Self-guvim New Guinea im e no good. You givim self-guvim New Guinea now, New Guinea e all buggerup”.

Sergeant Paul Yauwiga, one of Papua New Guinea’s greatest heroes, died in 1982 and he now rests at his hamlet in Marinumbo.

The Commanding Officer of the Second Royal Pacific Islands Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Vitata, said: “Building the monument for Yauwiga on the eve of PNG’s 50th anniversary is timely and resounds well with the theme “Celebrating our History and Inspiring our Future”. This project bears pride. Yauwiga is a symbol of courage and service during the 2nd world war. His skills, bravery and loyalty made him one of the most respected New Guinean soldiers during the Pacific Campaign. His life was one of courage, sacrifice and service to both his country and his people. His story lives on through the memories of his family, his community, and all Papua New Guineans who walk in the freedom that him and others helped secure. He was a warrior, a teacher, a legend, Sepik’s very own son, and Papua New Guinea’s pride.”

The Yangoru-Saussia DDA presented a cheque of K208,000 to the Second Royal Pacific Islands Regiment yesterday for the building of a tomb and the monument for Yauwiga. This is the start of the Yangoru-Saussia District’s program for the 50th Independence celebrations.

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