Ron Hermanns finally has his medals

[Dave Homewood]

Old soldier finally has his medals
By IAN STEWARD - The Press

Ron Hermanns, 98, finally received his World War II service medals in Christchurch yesterday after being persuaded to break a 65-year-old pact.

Hermanns, who served two terms in the Pacific, was among the returned servicemen who refused their medals on the grounds they did not bear their names, like those in World War I.

With the assistance – and insistence – of neighbour Joy Monteath, Hermanns finally applied for his medals last year.

Air Force deputy chief Air Commodore Gavin Howse yesterday presented Hermanns with the 1939-45 Star, the Pacific Star, the Defence Medal, the War Medal 1939-45, and the New Zealand War Service Medal in a ceremony at the Air Force Museum at Wigram.

Hermanns, a ground-crew engineer in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, spent his spare moments during the war making jewellery from crashed-aircraft parts and munitions, incorporating paua shell he had brought from New Zealand.

He yesterday donated the works to the Air Force Museum.

Hermanns said he had joined the air force because he was interested in aircraft. "Hitler was playing up, so we thought something would happen."

Hermanns was stationed on Guadalcanal, working on a runway carved out between rows of coconut trees, when a plane carrying bombs crash-landed.

"We could hear the bombs rolling around inside and we didn't know if the safety caps were still on," he said.

"We said to the other men, `get back into the jungle and stand behind a good stout tree'."

Luckily, the caps were in place.

Monteath said Hermanns was an amazing man who, despite being legally deaf and blind, still rode his bike to the supermarket.

Hermanns said his doctor had asked him if anything unusual about his lifestyle explained his longevity.

Hermanns replied that he had never married, which his doctor said was "cheating".

Hermanns thanked everyone who had helped him receive his medals which, for the record, still did not bear his name.


DECORATED: World War II veteran Ron Hermanns receives service medals from Air Commodore Gavin Howse at the Air Force Museum at Wigram

www.stuff.co.nz/national/3402063/Old-soldier-finally-has-his-medals

[flyjoe180]

Wow, great story. And they still don't have his name on them.

[John L]

Dad still refuses to get his medals! He reckoned if you had to apply for medals which you were entitled to, and they wouldn't send them to you, they weren't worth having and the authorities could stick them where the sun won't shine......etc...etc...! He's 93 and served up in the Pacific, ending his war with a broken neck after being blown over a cliff whilst winkling some Japs out of a cave..........wounds which have come back to haunt him over the last few years!

[jfickling]

Thank you Wings over New Zealand Aviation Forum for posting Ron's story.

Ron Hermanns in my Uncle. I am almost his only living relative. He kept this whole medal thing very quiet and now I can read about it thanks to your reporting.
He taught me engineering that changed the course of my working life, He is a good conversationalist with a sharp mind. I want to honour him for a lifetime of contributing to the welfare of others.
He has taught me about his father who died before I was born but was a great achiever in his lifetime achieving much in engineering and small business projects.
I will be visiting Ron again for his birthday in September as he starts his 100th year. He has no doubt that another year won't be any trouble.
John
Thanks again

[Dave Homewood]

Welcome to the forum John. That is really great that you've enjoyed this thread. Ron sounds like a top guy.