Horn Island, Torres Strait and the 1939-1945 Star Medal

This dissertation explores the anomaly of Horn Island, Torres Strait, being classified a non -operational area during World War Two. It explains why this designation was wrong, and why it needed to be changed in order that the men and women who served there be accorded the recognition that they had been striving for since the war concluded. The concrete measure of that recognition comes in the form of the 1939- 1945 Star Medal. This prestigious award is for duty in an area that came under enemy attack during the Second World War, until 1993 restricted to those who served overseas. The dissertation plots the activities of Air Force and Army squadrons and units at Horn Island, both Australian and American, draws on an extensive bank of oral evidence, and focuses on the experiences of those who served there. Their histories portray what life was like at that Advanced Operational Airbase, and demonstrate the effect Horn Island service had on veterans. These are tangible demonstrations and are attested to by the fact that 60 years later the men and women have begun to return. They are being drawn back to their island of service, to walk in the steps of their youth, recapturing a past that will soon be lost to memory. Many bring their descendants to pass down their family's wartime heritage. On 26 October 2001 the 1939-1945 Star Medal finally was awarded to qualifying Tones Strait veterans, a decision that affected thousands of men, and a handful of women, who now hold the physical symbol that their wartime service has been acknowledged. However, for many other Horn Island veterans there is still unfinished business.