25/04/2025
From the Evening Star, 12/6/1943:
FOR HEROISM
LATE SIGNALMAN BUCHANAN
BRITISH AND AMERICAN AWARDS
At Wellington recently Mr and Mrs J. W. Buchanan, of Fox street, Port Chalmers, were presented with the American Navy Cross which was posthumously awarded to their son, Leading Signalman C. H. Buchanan, Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve, who was mortally wounded in the successful engagement between two New Zealand corvettes and a Japanese submarine off Guadalcanal on the night of January 29-30. The citation, the original of which was also presented to Mr and Mrs Buchanan, read:—
"South Pacific Force of the United States Pacific Fleet. Headquarters of the Commander. — In the name of the President of the United States, the Commander South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force takes pleasure in awarding the Navy Cross, posthumous, to Leading Signalman C. Buchanan, Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve, for service as set forth in the following citation: For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving on board a corvette which participated in the action against a Japanese submarine near Guadalcanal Island on the night of January 29-30, 1943. Leading Signalman Buchanan, although mortally wounded, courageously remained at his battle station during the action. He skilfully trained a searchlight on the submarine and kept the target illuminated for the guns of his ship. During the engagement the submarine, after being forced to surface by depth charges, was rammed twice and hit several times by the gunfire from his ship. His valorous action, taken with complete disregard for his own safety, contributed materially to the destruction of the enemy, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service. — (Signed) W. F. Halsey, Admiral, U.S. Navy."
Mrs Buchanan has since received the following letter from the Navy Office, Wellington: "I have been requested by the Minister of Defence to advise you that your son, the late Leading Signalman Campbell Howard Buchanan, has been mentioned in despatches (posthumously) in recognition of his gallantry in the action which resulted in the destruction of a Japanese submarine early this year. I also desire to advise you that the posthumous award of mentioned in despatches for gallantry in action is a very high honour and comes next to the Victoria Cross, these being the only posthumous awards which are conferred by His Majesty for such gallantry. — Yours faithfully (signed) Naval Secretary." -Evening Star, 12/6/1943.
He is buried in the Port Chalmers cemetery. Campbell Buchanan Lane is named in his honour.
