Sefanaia Sukanaivalu
Encyclopedia
Sefanaia Sukanaivalu VC
(1918–1944) was a Fiji
an soldier and a posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to Commonwealth
forces. His home island was Yacata.
during World War II
. By mid-1944 he was a Corporal
in the 3rd Battalion, which was taking part in the Bougainville campaign
. He died under Japanese fire on 23 June 1944, at Mawaraka during an attempt to rescue his comrades.
Sukanaivalu is buried at Bitapaka War Graves Commission Cemetery, Rabaul
, New Britain
, Papua New Guinea
. His medal is in private hands and is not exhibited.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
(1918–1944) was a Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
an soldier and a posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces. His home island was Yacata.
Biography
Sukanaivalu was born on Yacata, Fiji, on 1 January 1918, and joined the Fiji Infantry RegimentFiji Infantry Regiment
The Fiji Infantry Regiment is the main combat element of the Fijian military. It is a light infantry regiment consisting of six battalions, of which three are regular army and three are Territorial Force. The regiment was formed with the foundation of the Fijian armed forces in 1920, which came...
during World War II
World 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...
. By mid-1944 he was a Corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
in the 3rd Battalion, which was taking part in the Bougainville campaign
Bougainville campaign (1944-45)
The Bougainville campaign was fought by the Allies in the South Pacific during World War II to regain control of the island of Bougainville from the Japanese forces who had occupied it in 1942. During their occupation the Japanese constructed naval aircraft bases in the north, east, and south of...
. He died under Japanese fire on 23 June 1944, at Mawaraka during an attempt to rescue his comrades.
Sukanaivalu is buried at Bitapaka War Graves Commission Cemetery, Rabaul
Rabaul
Rabaul is a township in East New Britain province, Papua New Guinea. The town was the provincial capital and most important settlement in the province until it was destroyed in 1994 by falling ash of a volcanic eruption. During the eruption, ash was sent thousands of metres into the air and the...
, New Britain
New Britain
New Britain, or Niu Briten, is the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. It is separated from the island of New Guinea by the Dampier and Vitiaz Straits and from New Ireland by St. George's Channel...
, Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
. His medal is in private hands and is not exhibited.