Clovis E. Byers - World War II - Papuan Campaign

Papuan Campaign

When the Battle of Buna-Gona started going badly, General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander, South West Pacific Area, decided to send I Corps headquarters to the front in Papua. Eichelberger recalled Macarthur's instructions:

"Bob," he said, "I want you to go out there and take Buna, or don't come back alive." He paused for a moment and then, without looking at Byers, pointed a finger. "And that goes for your chief of staff, too."

In accordance with MacArthur's orders, Eichelberger relieved the 32nd Infantry Division's commander, Major General Edwin F. Harding, replacing him with the division's artillery commander, Brigadier General Albert W. Waldron, on 2 December 1942. In an attack on 5 December, Waldron was shot in the shoulder by a Japanese sniper, and Byers succeeded him as commander of the troops in the field. Byers in turn was wounded on 16 December. He became the third American general to be shot at Buna, Brigadier General Hanford MacNider having been shot earlier in the fighting, none of whom was more than 75 metres from Japanese lines at the time. General Eichelberger assumed command, as he was now the only American general officer present. Waldron and Byers were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Byers' citation read:

For extraordinary heroism in action near Buna, New Guinea, on 15 December 1942. Immediately prior to launching an attack on an enemy position, Brigadier general Byers, without regard to his personal safety, visited the front line troops in close proximity to the enemy and to the impact are of our own preparatory mortar concentration, inspiring the men to a greater effort by his personal example. When the attack was launched, he advanced to a position within fifty yards of the assaulting troops. When wounded by an enemy sniper, he continued observation of the action and encouragement of the troops until he was evacuated. His inspiring example of heroism contributed greatly to the success of the attack.

For his role in the fighting in Papua, Byers also received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. In turn, Byers recommended Eichelberger for the Medal of Honor but the nomination was disapproved by MacArthur. Byers returned to the front on 17 January 1943 as Chief of Staff of Advance New Guinea Force, now commanded by Eichelberger. The two remained until 26 January, when they returned to Australia.