User:Meljgiles/sandbox

The Ben Moide Story: Nameless Warriors
The Ben Moide Story: Nameless Warriors is the biography of the last veteran of the Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB) written by grandson Lahui Ako. The 246 page text was published by the University of Papua New Guinea Press in 2012. It recounts the experiences of Sergent Benjamin Steven Moide, "the last surviving veteran of the first contact with the advancing Japanese near Kokoda on 23 July 1942, now commemorated as Rememberance Day in Papua New Guinea. He was later desevedly recognised as a symbol of the service and sacrifice of the Papuan Infantry Battalion" in the Pacifc theatre of World War II.

About the Author:
Lahui Ako is a retired public servant. He is the author of 5 books which reflect his involvement in diplomatic roles and the history of Papua New Guinea. He was Director-General of the PNG APEC Secretariart, PNG APEC Senior Official in 2018 and held the PNG diplomatic post in Beijing. Ako holds a Masters degree in Strategic Management and is an honorary member of the PIB, NGIS, PIR Association of Australia. Lahui Ako is the grandson of Sergent Benjamin Steven Moide.

Background:
The Ben Moide Story: Nameless Warriors (2012) is a recount of the experiences of Sergeant Ben Moide as he saw them as well as those told to him by his mates of the PIB. Over 3 years, author Lahui Ako corroborated these accounts with official history to produce a memoir of Ben Moide as evidence of Papuan experiences of World War II complete with a forward by PNGDF Commander, His Excellency Ambassador Peter Ilau. The Ben Moide Story is an important record of enlisted Papuan soldiers whose oral history has been overlooked in written accounts of World War II.

About the subject:
Ben Moide was the 67th Papuan (PIB Recruit Number-67 ) to enlist in the newly formed PIB in 1940. He would later lead a platoon in the C-Coy formed on the eve of the Kokoda Campaign as a non-commissioned officer (NCO) and then as an instructor. Moide's experience of World War II as an un-initiated NCO, saw the teenager fight alongside PIB ex-policemen in defence of Papua New Guinea against Japanese troops. The PIB were known as the 'Green Shadows' or native scouts whose knowledge of the Papuan jungle was critical to defending Australia. Following the war, Moide was a çhampion for the rights of ex-service personnel to access compensation akin to that of Australian veteran counterparts having fought on Australian territory in defence of their tribal land. Moide went on to find employment with the Australian Administrator, the University of Papua New Guinea and South Pacific Brewery as well as being an active leader of the RSL and in the development of PNG Rugby League. Moide was honoured with an MBE then a CBE for his service to the nation as an advocate and icon for the role of the PIB and NGIB in the Pacific war. Moide was the first and only veteran recipient of a State Funeral and this was attended by members of the Australian and PNG Governments with a eulogy by Nameless Warriors author Lahui Ako.