Location
Pukapuka Island is located Located at the northern edge of Pukapuka Atoll in the Cook Islands surrounded by the South Pacific Ocean. Also spelled Puka Puka Island or known as Danger Island. Known to the local Cook Islanders as Wale meaning home.
Wartime History
During the middle of February 1942, a life raft with U.S. Navy (USN) Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate (ACMM) Harold F. Dixon bombardier AOM2c Anthony J. Pastula and radio operator RM3c Gene Aldrich the crew of TBD-1 Devastator 0335 that ditched January 16, 1942 then drifted in a single life raft for 34 days before reaching Pukapuka Island. On February 19, 1942 they were found by local Teleuka Iotua in a hut on Loto village and gave them coconuts to drink and got help and later radioed the U.S. Navy to arrange their rescue. In early March 1942 rescued by USS Swan (AVP-7).
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Last Updated
October 23, 2019
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