by Major John Laird, Australian Army

During 2003 I served with the Australian Army as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.

In September I found myself in a village called Dala South on the west coast of the Island of Malaita (approx 100km from Guadalcanal) , I noticed a village woman wearing a USMC WWII Dog Tag around her neck. After several return trips to the village I exchanged the Dog Tag with her for some army combat rations and some Solomon dollars. The tag belonged to PFC Robert Lincoln Cunningham, 456192, T. 11/42 C, USMC C. In March 2006, due to this webpage, this tag was returned to Cunningham's son, Nick

About a month later I was back on Guadalcanal approximately 40km East of Honiara in the vicinity of the WW2 US MTRACK vehicle wreaks on the coast. While speaking with a man from a nearby village he produced a Dog Tag which he said his grandfather wore for many years however didn't know how his grandfather had come across the Tag. I managed to acquire this tag as well after some wheeling and dealing. This Tag belonged to David Gordon, 616-49-99, T-3/43,USNR B.

I am looking forward to return these dog tags to their rightful owners, their families or units these men served with.   Any assistance in locating the servicemen would be greatly appreciated. Contact John Laird