Evening star., 1942-10-07
A.P. Writer Haug|and
Paid Unprecedented
Honor by Macarthur
Silver Stor Is Pinned on
Pojomos ofCorrespondent,
Recovering in New Guineo
BY DEAN SCHEDLER.

<AoooSiatcu EIcSS w SE CORRESPONDENT.
SOMEWHERE IN NEW GUINEA,
Oct. 3 Delayed. The United
States Army's silver star was
pinned on the pajamas OF Asso-
ciated Press Correspondent Vern
Haugland by Gen. Douglas Mac
Arthur today in an unprecedent-
ed recognition of civilian cour-
age.
Pausing on visit to the New
Guinea war front, Gen. Macarthur
made the award at the hospital tent
where Mr.. Haugland is recovering
from exhaustion and fever after 43
days of fighting his way out OF the
mountainous jungle into which he
parachuted from a storm-spen
bomber August 7.
Il am awarding you the Silver
Star as an outward symbol of the
devotion and fortitude with which
you have done you duty" the Allied
commander in the Southwest Pacific
told the lean, 34-year- news
paperman.
Il can't tell you how much we
have been inspired by your getting
back after such tribulations and
hardships"
Kept Day-to-Day Diary.
Mr. Haugland lived on berries and
the juice of grass and weeds, and.
although drenched by incessant
rains and fatigued by scrambling
through tropical growth and streams,
kept day-to-day diary of his wan
derings until near their end.
Maj. D. J. Lyons of Seminole,
Okla. who has been in consultation
on the case, told Gen. Macarthur,
'1t takes good man to stand what
he did"
The two attending physicians, 1t.
Hugh McHugh of New Rochelle,
N. Y, psychiatrist, and 1t. Isador
Pfeffer of Detroit, a medical ofncer,
said Mr.. Haugland was showing a
fine improvement and that they
were doing everything in their power
for him.
"As soon as you think he is ready
w bC iAloNCu SOutll \UO AuSUl
transportation will be made avail
able for him either by air or by sea-"
Gen. Macarthur said.
After his experiences I would
think he would prefer the sea, but
that is up to your judgment"
Embarrassed by Visit.
Mr.. Haugland was stretched out
on bed, wearing regular Army
pajamas, when Gen. MacArthurs
plane landed at the airport here,
and, foreWarned, he was obviously
embarrassed.
A few minutes later the General
walked into the tent smiling and
gripped hand of the correspondent.
Hello, young man." he said.
How are you feeling?"
Fine, SIR Mr.. Haugland replied.
Gen. Macarthur took out a small
blue box containing the Silver Star
which is normally presented only
for military service-and an official
copy of citation for the fact that
courage and perseverance enabled
him to conquer difficulties and re-
join the United States Army forces"
He pinned on the decoration. Then
he patted Mr.. Haugland's side. Mr..
Haugland thanked him with emo
ton.
At the request of one of the news
photographers present the General
momentarily sat on a side Of the
bed and took one of Mr.. Haugland's
hands. Realizing the strain was
great, he said to the photographers:
Zone more boys, then let's be going"
Text of Citation.
The citation read as follows:
The Silver Star is awarded by
the commander in chief of the
Southwest Pacific area to the follow
ing named war correspondent with
the United States Army: Vern
Haugland
"Haugland, war correspondent
with the United States Army in the
field, for heroism in New Guinea
from August to September II.
When military plane in which
he was passenger on flight from
Australia to New Guinea encoun-
tered bad weather and ran out of
fuel over mountains, Haugland
parachuted to earth with the others
Of the airplane crew, landing in an
uninhabited region of Southeastern
New Guinea.
accompanied by an officer of the
airplane crew until they became
and later alone, without
food for many days and drenched
by heavy rains, he struggled through
nearly impenetrable jungle-covered
mountain country until he reached
an inhabited region near the coast.
His courage and perseverance
enabled him to conquer difficulties
and rejoin the United States Army
forces"