Lost in Shangri-la

INDEX

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Page numbers in italics refer to illustrations. Page numbers 329 and higher refer to notes.

Abrenica, Santiago “Sandy,” 162–63, 183–84, 197–98, 200, 201, 242, 252, 265, 279, 298, 307, 317

Abumpuk, 184

ahkuni (people), 117

AIDS, 301

Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement, 305

airplanes:

and Native New Guineans, 25, 27, 38, 86, 124–26, 288, 290, 291

see also gliders; specific airplanes

alcohol, 190, 226, 243

Alerta, Custodio, 165, 200, 219, 253, 298, 307, 317

Allen, G. Reynolds, 277–79, 287, 317

alliances, 117

American flag, 206, 206, 237

Amundsen, Roald, 80

ane (noise), 124

anekuku (planes), 124, 184

anewoo (planes), 124–26

Antonini, Herman F., 56

Aquilio, Esther “Ack Ack,” 224

Archbold, John D., 80–81

Archbold, Richard:

discovery of Shangri-La by, 79, 80–91, 83, 181, 300, 317

later years and death of, 300

and Native New Guinean shooting death, 89, 90–91, 129, 202, 342

Archbold Biological Station, 300

Arlington National Cemetery, 304

Arnold, H. H. “Hap,” 215

Arthur, Hugh, 225

Atkinson, Robert, 315

atom bomb, 29, 129–30, 268, 308

Australia, HMAS, 249

B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, 98, 99, 100–101, 104, 130, 310

B-24 Liberator bombers, 8, 98

B-25 Mitchell bombers, 8, 98, 256, 287, 293

Babcock, John, 106–7, 109, 147–48

Baga, Ai, 199, 284

Bahala na! (Come what may!) motto, 141, 151, 166, 241

Baker, William D., 99–101, 104, 152, 237, 310, 317

Baliem River, 88, 105, 199, 225, 271, 300

Baliem Valley, 24–25, 116, 122, 134, 301, 302

see also Shangri-La

“bamboo bombers,” 261

Baron, Harry, 278

Barron, Theodore “Ted,” 73, 74

Bataan Death March, 142, 146, 163

Baylon, Alfred “Weylon,” 165, 199, 200, 235, 242, 252, 265, 273–74, 298, 307, 317

Besley, Laura, 13, 14, 211, 304, 317, 331, 334, 338

aboard Gremlin Special, 35

death of, 67–68, 69, 74–75

in Gremlin Special crash, 52–54, 60, 63–64

shoes of, 64–65, 68

“Betty” (dive-bomber), 249

big man (tribal leader), 117, 201, 284

biological research, 81–91

blue-star families, 1–3, 154, 215

Boston Sunday Advertiser, 312

Brass, L. J., 86–87

Bronze Star, 307

Bulatao, Benjamin “Doc” “Mumu,” 162–65, 165, 166–67, 173–80, 190, 193–94, 193, 195, 196, 208, 210, 219, 227–28, 232–33, 235, 237, 240, 268, 307–8, 317

Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 90

burial mission, 210–14, 212

C-46, 260

C-47 Skytrain, 33–34, 33, 72, 98, 152, 156, 159, 173, 182, 198, 255–56, 260

as tow plane in glider snatch mission, 262–63, 267, 293, 295; see also Leaking Louise

see also Gremlin Special

C-60 transport plane, 19–20, 23, 98

Callahan, Rita Hastings, 2, 4, 226, 313, 315, 316

Calling All Girls, 312

“Camp Shangri-La,” 242–45, 252–54, 268–84

glider snatch of survivors from, see glider snatch mission

Camp X, 112

Cann, Alexander (Alexander Cross), 243–51, 245, 246, 255, 271, 274, 283, 298, 318

alcoholism of, 245, 247, 248

back injury of, 248–49

charm of, 246, 247, 248

drunken parachute jump of, 243–45, 250

as filmmaker, 248–49, 251, 254, 268, 280, 288, 289, 307

Hollywood acting career of, 246–48

jewel heist scandal of, 247–48

later life and death of, 307

in military, 248–49

recklessness of, 243–45, 250

Shangri-La documentary of, 243, 251, 254, 263, 280, 288, 289, 302, 307

Cann, Alexandra, 246, 250

Cann, H. V., 245–46

Cann, June Dunlop, 307

Cann, Mabel Ross, 245

cannibals, cannibalism, 25, 28, 30, 88, 119, 129, 130, 132, 150, 186, 222, 348

Caoili, Hermenegildo “Superman” “Iron Man,” 165, 197–98, 200, 207, 210, 219, 298, 307, 318

Challenger Bay, 83

Chicago Tribune, 220–21, 224, 225, 226, 306

clans, 117

Clement, General, 192

Comfort, USS, 97

Commendation Award, 306

confederations, 117

Cook, Captain, 10

Copernicus, 116

Corregidor island, 21, 106, 141, 146

Coster, Earl, 56

Coster, Ruth, 36, 36, 56, 154, 219

cowrie shells, 87, 88, 134, 252,269–70

Cronkite, Walter, 261

Cross, Alexander, see Cann, Alexander

crying ceremony, 291

cultural misunderstandings, 125–26, 134–35, 186–89, 196–97, 214, 270–71, 272, 273, 280–83, 285, 291

Dahl, Roald, 34

Daily Argus Leader, 220

Dani tribe, 117, 117, 119, 122, 134, 135, 171, 184, 197, 200, 269, 272, 273, 277, 284, 302, 346, 357

base camp near, 268–91

Dartmouth Free Press, 306

Dattilo, Phillip J., 56

D-Day, 28, 260, 261

“dead birds,” 123, 185, 277

Dead Birds (film), 347–48

“dead reckoning,” 203

Decker, Bert, 226

Decker, Kenneth, 40, 179, 215, 281, 299, 316, 318, 334

aboard Gremlin Special, 40

in aftermath of crash, 58, 60–65, 67–70, 69, 126

at “Camp Shangri-La,” 268, 290

death of, 310

helpfulness of, 61

humor of, 78, 94, 101, 131

injuries of, 52–54, 74, 76, 93–94, 95, 135, 138–39, 154, 156, 159–61, 167, 168–69, 176, 239, 310

and life after Shangri-La, 307, 308, 309

medics’ treatment of, 179–80, 190, 194, 209, 233

stoicism of, 76, 93, 156, 158, 160–61, 169, 190, 239

see also Gremlin Special survivors

Decker, Thelma, 224

defecation, 200

dengue fever, 163–64

dili (enemies), 117

Distinguished Flying Cross, 306

Distinguished Service Medal, 306

Dobransky, Peter, 225

Dongallo, Fernando, 165, 200, 210, 219, 308, 318

Douglas DC-3, 33

Dyak tribe, 83–84, 88

dysentery, 85, 163, 265

Eagle Scouts, 41, 52, 61

Earhart, Amelia, 85

education, 301

Eisenhower, Dwight D., 314

Elizalde, Joachin Miguel “Mike,” 110–12

Elsmore, Ray T., 20–21, 21, 24, 27, 28, 30, 46, 86, 124, 146, 318

cultural bias of, 28, 31–32

expertise of, 292–93, 295

and first view of Shangri-La, 19–25

as head of search and rescue mission, 96, 98, 104–5, 149, 165, 181, 217, 242, 255–56, 263–64, 279, 285–86, 287, 289, 292–93, 300

later life and death of, 305

press attention to, 28–29, 31–32, 220, 223, 263, 286

self-promotion of, 31–32, 80, 105, 220, 223, 263

as self-styled discoverer of Shangri-La, 26, 80, 91

End of Days, 124, 126

etai-eken (soul), 139–40

Fair, Alethia M., 36–37, 56

Fanless Faggot, 265, 267, 277–78, 287, 288, 290, 292, 294–97, 294, 297, 298, 305

Far East Air Service Command (Fee-Ask), 16, 32, 96, 107, 165, 192

Filipino-Americans:

discrimination against, 145–46, 350

immigration of, 145

as paratroopers under Walter, 112–13, 141–42, 144, 148, 162–65, 253

in World War II, 144–47, 164

see also 1st Reconnaissance Battalion; 5217th Reconnaissance Battalion

fingers, amputation of, 116, 121, 281–82

1st Reconnaissance Battalion (Special), 141, 143–44, 149, 162–65, 197–98, 241, 309, 315

medals awarded to, 307

scant press coverage of, 234–35

5217th Reconnaissance Battalion, 112, 141, 164, 308

“flak bait,” 261

Flannery, Tim, 86

Fleming, Walter “Wally,” 32, 101, 191, 312, 318

“flying boats,” 82–83

“flying coffins,” 261, 279

Flying Dutchman, crash of, 72–74, 104

Freyman, Louis E., 56

funeral services, for crash victims, 213, 304–5

Gallagher, Marie, 223

gangrene, 92–94, 135, 154, 158, 160, 168–69, 179–80, 190, 209, 237

Gardner, George, 217, 224, 225, 226, 227, 250, 271, 286–87, 318

Gardner, Robert, 302, 343, 347–48

Garrison, Jim, 305

Gatling, William J., Jr., 26

Gearhard, August, 213

Germany, Nazi, 7, 30, 249, 257–58

Gillis, Marian, 36, 56

gliders:

American military use of, 258–62

German use of, 257–58

history of, 257

in rescue mission, see glider snatch mission

in World War II, 257–62

see also Waco CG-4A

glider snatch mission, 262–67, 277–80, 285–97, 292

cooperation of natives in, 289–90, 290

impediments to, 294–97

second and third retrievals in, 298

see also Waco CG-4A

gold-star families, 1, 215

Good, Herbert F., 40–41, 54–55, 55, 58, 211–12, 304, 318

“Gooney Birds,” 34

Grand Valley, 84, 91, 300

see also Shangri-La

Gremlins, The (Dahl), 34

Gremlin Special, 34–43, 36, 39, 298, 302

aftermath of crash of, 58–70, 75

camouflage of, 34

casualties of, 55–57, 63, 67–68, 154, 297

crash of, 50–57, 65, 72, 124, 125, 154, 238–39, 295, 296

fiftieth anniversary of crash of, 309

name of, 34

passengers and crew seating on, 34–43, 68

possible causes for crash of, 48–49, 337

recovery and reburial of bodies from, 304–5

remains at crash site of, 303–4

salvage from, 61–62, 64, 71

sighting of Shangri-La from, 44–47

specs of, 33–34

survivors of, see Decker, Kenneth; Gremlin Special survivors; Hastings, Margaret; McCollom, John “Mac”

Walter’s burial mission at site of, 210–14, 212

Gremlin Special survivors, 68–70, 241, 299, 315

bond of respect and affection among, 93

at “Cape Shangri-La” base camp, 243–45, 252–54, 268–91

in first encounter with Native New Guineans, 128–40

on first glider, 286–87, 289–97

hopefulness of, 65–66, 78, 99, 101

humor of, 160, 172, 190, 298

hunger of, 168

jungle trek of, 74–79, 92–99

media frenzy over, 220–24

medical care for, 106

return trek of, 239–42

sighting by Baker of, 100–101

at Uwambo survivors’ camp, 124–40, 155–57, 167–72, 176–80, 190–203

Grimes, Myron, discovery of Shangri-La by, 19–24, 26, 30, 31, 45, 80, 318

Guba, 82–83, 83, 84, 86, 87, 181, 341

guerrilla fighters, 111–12, 142, 144, 147

Gutzeit, Jack, 153–55, 193, 224, 225, 318

Halifax Herald, 221

Hal-loak-nak, 116

Hanna, Eleanor, 35–36, 211, 304, 318, 339

in Gremlin Special crash, 52–54, 60–64, 68

souvenir bracelets of, 36, 60, 304, 334, 338

Hastings, Catherine, 2, 4, 226, 313

Hastings, Julia Hickey, 2, 66–67

Hastings, Margaret, 2, 136, 196, 263, 275, 299, 315, 316, 319, 337

aboard Gremlin Special, 35, 42, 45, 47, 49

adventurous nature of, 2, 7, 13, 68, 316

and affection for medics, 178, 193

in aftermath of crash, 58–70, 68

allowed into native village, 274–76

and attraction to Ruiz, 208–9, 314

and attraction to Walter, 208

basic training and promotion of, 9, 60

beauty of, 6, 205, 312

bond between “Chief Pete” and, 136, 138, 172, 236–37

childhood and early life of, 6–7, 66–67

children of, 316

cultural bias of, 134–35, 137

death of, 316

and death of mother, 66–67

in departure from base camp, 236–37, 238–40

diary of, 59, 64–65, 66, 68, 70, 75, 77, 92, 95, 131, 132, 133, 134–35, 137, 138, 140, 154, 155, 156, 159, 160, 161, 167, 176, 178, 179, 180, 190–91, 193, 205, 213, 226, 236, 238, 241–42, 288, 292, 333

disappearance of, 1–4, 9

and disenchantment with fame, 314–15

enlistment of, 2–3

and evolving view of natives, 274–76

and fear, 295–96, 316

feisty nature of, 8, 159

in first encounter with Native New Guineans, 130–33

flirtatious nature of, 6, 208

and friendship with “the queen,” 274–76, 275, 280–82, 290

gangrene and amputation fears of, 92–94, 159, 161, 169, 176, 180

in Gremlin Special crash, 51–54

hair cut of, 76, 138, 205, 221, 280, 281, 313

homecoming parade for, 131, 312–13, 313

independence of, 6–7

injuries of, 59–60, 64–65, 74, 76, 92–94, 95, 135, 154, 158–59, 161, 167, 168–69, 176, 237, 239

and life after Shangri-La, 312–16

“Maggie” nickname of, 69, 93, 197

marriage and divorce of, 315–16

in media frenzy, 222, 223, 224, 227, 235, 312

medics’ treatment of, 179–80, 193–94, 193, 209, 233–34

movie offers for, 312, 315

as petite, 6, 330

and prayer, 51, 75, 161, 176, 193–94, 279–81, 291, 294

and preparations for sightseeing trip, 32–33

pride of, 194

as Queen of Shangri-La, 224, 241, 286, 309, 314, 316

resentment against, 314

resourcefulness of, 51, 60, 75

and respect and affection for Native New Guineans, 138, 140, 155, 274–76, 290

return to Owego of, 312–13

social life of, 12–13, 32, 101, 191

as spokesperson for Victory Bonds, 313

stoicism of, 78, 93

stubbornness of, 214

unselfishness of, 167

unwanted suitors of, 241–42

vanity of, 5–6

wartime job of, 6, 15

see also Gremlin Special survivors

Hastings, Patrick, 1–4, 226, 313, 315, 319

and news of Margaret’s disappearance, 3–4, 215–16

headhunters, 24, 25, 28, 30, 31, 94, 150, 166

health care, 301

Hearst, Alma Walker, 247–48

Hearst, William Randolph, Jr., 247

helicopters, 105, 181, 217, 255, 258

“Hey, Martha!” news stories, 221–22, 223, 247

Hidden Valley, 19–20, 24–25, 26, 91, 197

see also Shangri-La

Hilton, James, 29

Hitler, Adolf, 7, 257–58

Holding, Lawrence F., 56

Hole, The, 122–23

Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea, 5, 10, 11, 301

Archbold’s camp in, 83

Walter’s team in, 141–44, 149

Hollandia military base, 5–18, 5, 20, 54, 63, 74, 94, 96–98

WAC living conditions at, 5, 12, 13–16

WAC swimming death at, 97–98

Hollywood:

Cann in, 246–48

offers to Margaret from, 312, 315

homecoming parade, 312–13, 313

Hoops, Eugene, M., 337

Howell, Winston, 278, 362

Hugiampot, 282

Human Bomb, The (film), 248

“human wind dummies,” 174

huts, 23, 47, 116–17, 156, 275, 302

Imparato, Edward T., 182, 319

inalugu (pile of feces), 200

iniatek (originals), 123

“Inseparables, The,” 41

Japan, Japanese, in World War II, 8, 11–12, 105, 111, 142, 146–47, 150–51, 163, 166, 232, 249, 268, 308

Javonillo, Juan “Johnny,” 165, 197–98, 200, 210, 245, 250, 253, 308, 319

Jayapura, 301

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 304

John and Robert McCollom Memorial Scholarship, 312

kain (big man), 117, 201, 284

kamikazes, 30, 97, 249

Kelabi, 283

Kennedy, John F., 305

Kenney, George C., 24

Kent, Helen, 36, 36, 46–47, 49, 56, 154, 210, 319

Kirchanski, James, 225

Koloima, 184, 282, 268–91

Korean War, 307, 310

Kremer expedition, 85

Kurelu (big man), 284

Kurelu clan, 184, 185

L-5 Sentinel “Flying Jeep,” 156

Lait, George, 27–30, 31, 319, 333

later life and death of, 306

press credentials of, 27–28

Shangri-La described by, 28, 122

Lait, Jack, 27

Landau, Mary M., 37, 56, 210, 213

Landikma, 128

Leaking Louise, 3–5, 264–65, 266, 267, 277–78, 288–89, 292–95, 292, 297, 297

hazards aboard, 278–79

lechon feast, 254

Legion of Merit, 306

Leyte Island, 97, 141, 147, 163, 220, 249

Lindbergh, Charles, 41

logging, 302

Logo, Gerlagam “Joe,” 269–71

Logo, Narekesok, 199, 273

Logo, Yali, 185, 271, 284, 290, 319

Logo-Mabel clans, 184–85

Los Angeles Times, 247, 312, 315

Los Banos Internment Camp, 106

Lost Horizon (film), 29–30, 122

Lost Horizon (Hilton), 29–30, 130

“Lost Outpost of Shangri-La, The,” 206, 206

Louise, see Leaking Louise

Lowell, James Russell, 44

Lutgring, James “Jimmy,” 39–40, 39, 98, 154, 305

Lutgring, Melvyn, 305

Lutz, Aleda, 96

Luzon Island, 9, 106, 141, 146, 162

Lynch, T. R., 165–66

Mabel, Inggimarlek, 125

Mabel, Lisaniak, 185, 189, 199, 270, 298, 365

MacArthur, Douglas, 11–12, 21, 36, 54, 106, 114, 142, 146, 215, 232, 306, 308

McCarthy, John, 314

McCollom, Betty, 311–12

McCollom, Cecelia Connolly “Adele,” 42, 56, 215, 226, 304–5

McCollom, Eva Ratliff, 41, 226

McCollom, John “Mac,” 134, 227, 233–34, 259, 272, 281–82, 298, 316, 319, 334, 337

aboard Gremlin Special, 46–50

in aftermath of crash, 58–70, 69

bravery of, 132, 296

in burial mission, 210–11

at “Camp Shangri-La,” 268–70, 290

compassion of, 169, 190

competence of, 47–48, 69, 71, 100

death and obituary of, 311–12

determination of, 94, 311, 343

as emotional, 153–54, 310

fear of, 94

in Gremlin Special crash, 50–54, 56–57

in handshake with “Pete,” 132–33

as identical twin, 14, 41–43, 41, 42, 51, 52, 53, 57, 61, 68, 75, 94, 95–96, 153, 211, 213, 215, 296, 310, 311, 343

injuries of, 51, 52, 60

kindness of, 14

leadership qualities of, 14, 52–53, 58, 69, 74–76, 79, 93, 95, 130, 156

and life after Shangri-La, 304, 308, 309, 310–11, 311

in media, 224–25

resourcefulness of, 61, 74–75, 78

and respect and affection for fellow survivors, 93

survivor’s guilt of, 310

see also Gremlin Special survivors

McCollom, Mary Dennise “Dennie,” 42, 304–5, 310, 311

McCollom, Robert Emert, 41–43, 41, 42, 51, 52, 56–57, 68, 75, 94, 95, 211, 213, 215, 226, 259, 296, 304–5, 310, 311, 319, 343

McCollom, Rolla, 41, 226

machete, 237

McKenzie, William G., 265, 277, 278, 319

McKinley, William, 144–45

McMonagle, Marion W., 36, 56, 303

McMullen, Clements, 215

Macy, Anson, 234

maga (declaration of safe passage), 201, 236–37

Mageam, 199

malaria, 14, 163–64

Mayr, Ernst, 81–82

Mead, Margaret, 122

medics, see Bulatao, Benjamin “Doc” “Mumu”; Ramirez, Camilo “Rammy” “Mua”

Mellberg, Carl, 213

Mengel, Herbert O., 154, 319

mep mili (dark blood), 135

Merle, 34

Miller (Walter Jr.’s friend), 110

Miller, Charles R., 56

mining, 301

missionaries, 300–301, 304

mogat (spirits, ghosts), 118, 137

Mollberg, Melvin “Molly,” 37, 37, 56, 98, 154, 305, 319

Molly, 305

Morton, Ralph, 220–27, 233–34, 235, 242, 249, 278, 306, 320

Moseley, Lucille, 307–8

Mother’s Day (1945), 7, 17, 32

mourning:

finger amputation in, 116, 121, 282

mud ritual for, 188

mouth harp, 208

Mundima, 134, 177, 227

Mundi River, 125, 134, 177

Nagasaki, 308

Naimer, Belle, 36, 56, 210, 213

Nakmatugi, 123

National Geographic, 86, 89

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, 304

National World War II Glider Pilots Association, 316

Native New Guineans, 9–10, 12, 72–73, 79, 241, 253

agriculture of, 22, 86, 87, 102

and airplanes, 25, 27, 28, 86, 124–26, 288, 290, 291

anthropological inaccuracies about, 25, 28–29, 31–32, 102–3, 134–35, 228, 273, 281–82

appearance and dress of, 22, 87, 103, 115–16, 134–35, 170, 188–89, 229–30, 291, 302, 330, 346

art of, 115, 346

attempts at communication with, 169–70, 177, 185–86, 273, 275

beginning of the end for, 238

and belief in spirits and ghosts, 85, 116, 118–19, 123–24, 126–27, 137, 197, 201, 214, 230–31, 238

children, 116, 121, 136, 273

contemporary cultural decline of, 301–2

cooperation of, 289–90, 290

corpses of, 272

creation myths of, 122–24

cultural bias against, 28, 198, 200, 202, 222, 228, 230

and cultural changes after western contact, 291, 300–303

cultural misunderstandings about, 186–89, 270–71, 280–83

curiosity of, 200

defensiveness of, 201–2

economy of, 269–70

and fear of westerners, 85, 126, 201

and festival, 119

first metal tool of, 237

healing arts of, 139–40

and increasing comfort with westerners, 190–91

isolation of, 115

languages of, 9–10, 115–18, 273, 275

lifestyle and mores of, 115–22, 188–89, 270, 282

and Margaret’s baths, 195–97

medical treatments for, 273–74

misconceptions about westerners by, 85, 125–26, 134–35, 196–97, 214, 272, 273

regard for survivors of, 139–40, 155

sexual practices of, 120, 197, 228, 273, 282

social structure of, 117

Stone Age culture of, 22, 26–27, 129, 183, 222

survivors’ first encounter with, 103, 115, 128–40

survivors sighted by, 100

temporary suspension of warfare by, 201, 227

and viewing of Gremlin Special crash, 125–27

villages of, 22–24, 23, 47, 86–87, 189; see also Uwambo

violence against, 79, 89, 90–91

warfare and, see warfare, as basis of Native New Guinean society

as wary of survivors, 136–37

weapons of, see weapons, Native New Guinean

westerners’ early encounters with, 87–89

women, see women, Native New Guinean

see also Dani tribe; Yali tribe

neighborhoods, 117, 184

Newcomer, George R., 39, 56

New Guinea:

contemporary, 300–303

downed and missing planes in, 71–74

flora and fauna of, 14, 58–59, 74, 84

geography and topography of, 9–11, 10

inhospitable jungle habitat of, 58–59, 61, 63, 76–79, 150, 166, 174

isolation of, 10–11, 301

maladies and illnesses in, 15

maps of, 10, 20, 90, 98

native inhabitants of, see Dani tribe; Native New Guineans; Yali tribe

natural beauty of, 15, 58–59

as part of Indonesia, 301

trading with, 11

western exploration of, 10–11, 84–85

in World War II, 11; see also Hollandia military base

New York Mirror, 27

New York Times, 8, 89, 223, 247–48, 306

Nicholson, Alice, 314

George Nicholson’s letter to, 37–39, 55

Nicholson, George H., Jr., 38, 215, 314, 320

as co-pilot on Gremlin Special, 37, 45–50, 65, 98

death of, 55

educational and military background of, 37–39

exoneration of, 215

limited piloting experience of, 45–50, 65

personal misgivings of, 38–39

Nicholson, Margaret, 215, 314

nicknames, bestowed by natives, 228, 273, 282–83

no-man’s land, 184, 199, 283

Norris, Hilliard, 39, 56

Nuarauke, 282

Obama, Barack, 302

O’Brien, Denise, 85

Ogi ridge, 125, 201, 214, 238, 302

Okinawa, battle of, 8, 223, 268

Oranje mountain range, 19, 44, 105, 206, 242

Oswald, Lee Harvey, 305

Owego, New York, 1, 3, 6–7, 12, 13, 312–13

Owego Free Academy, 312

P-38 Lightning fighters, 8

P-47 Thunderbolts, 305

Pallas Athena, 97–98

Palmer, Henry E. “Red,” 256–57, 288, 305, 320

and gilder snatch mission, 262–63, 265, 277, 287–94

Papua New Guinea, 301

Papuans, 301

Papua province, Indonesia, 301

Parachute Infantry Regiments, 105

parachutes, 166–67, 243–45, 250, 295–96

and dangers of jungle jumps, 173–77, 182–83

paratroopers, 106–7, 141

Filipino-American, 112–13, 141–42, 144

see also 1st Reconnaissance Battalion (Special); 5217th Reconnaissance Battalion

Patterson, Harry E., 27–30, 31, 122, 319

Pattisina, Corporal, 89

PBY bombers, 82–83

Pearl Harbor, 7, 21, 30, 108, 110, 146, 163, 259

Peggy (pig), 252, 254, 300

penis gourds (horim), 86, 129, 131, 135, 185, 188, 189, 228, 229, 291, 301, 346

Philippine-American War (1898–1902), 145

Philippines, 107, 110–11, 145–46

World War II in, 8–9, 11, 21, 36, 106, 111, 113, 142, 146–47, 163, 249, 306, 308

Philippine Scouts, 163

pig feasts, 171–72, 202

pigs, 22, 25, 85, 86, 118, 122, 134, 170, 237, 238, 252, 269, 302

rebirth of, 273

“Pika,” 199

Piri, Sikman, 282

poverty, 301

Pratt & Whitney engines, 14

Presidential Unit Citations, 306

press, media, 27, 220–27, 232, 233–34, 271, 286, 298, 300

attention to Margaret in, 223, 224, 225, 227, 235, 312

Morton-Simmons journalistic rivalry in, 222–24, 249

scant coverage of 1st Recon in, 234–35

sensational tone of, 222–23

Prossen, David, 16, 17, 304

Prossen, Evelyn, 16–17, 32

Prossen, Lyneve, 16

Prossen, Peter, Jr., 16, 17, 17, 304

Prossen, Peter J., 17, 37, 45, 211, 220, 304

as caring commander, 18, 32, 45

death of, 55

as devoted family man, 16–17

as pilot on Gremlin Special, 39–40, 44–50, 98, 104

Protestant Digest, 221

Pyle, Ernie, 27

queen, the (native woman), 274–76, 275, 280–81, 290

husband of, 280

Queen, The (airplane), 189

Ramirez, Camilo “Rammy” “Mua,” 142, 162–65, 165, 166–67, 173–80, 193–94, 195, 196, 208, 227–28, 235, 237, 253, 298, 307–8, 320

Ray Jr., 292

Rescue from Shangri-La (film), 307

Reuters, 221

Riley, Frank, 154

Robb, Inez, 333

Rockefeller, John D., 80

Rockefeller, Michael, 316

Roosevelt, Franklin D., 1, 8, 30, 145–47

Roosevelt, Theodore, 145

Ruiz, Don, 165, 200, 210, 220, 253, 298, 307, 314

St. George, Ozzie, 271

Sambom, Maruk, 137

Sambom, Pugulik “Trouble Maker,” 125, 136–37

Samuels, William J., 264–65, 277–78, 280, 288–89, 292–95, 292, 305–6, 320

sanitary napkins, 192, 236, 254

Science, 300

Scott, Dennie McCollom, see McCollom, Mary Dennise “Dennie”

Scott, Robert Falcon, 80

Seabees, 255, 279

seaplanes, amphibious aircraft, 105, 181 255, 300, 303

see also Guba

search and rescue mission:

base camp for, 181–89, 243–45, 252–54, 268–91

burial duty of, 210–14

departure from base camp of, 232–38

evacuation plans for, 255–57, 262–67

glider snatch mission of, see glider snatch mission

Hollandia plans for, 96, 98, 181

impediments to, 105–6, 150, 165, 173–75, 256

rescue options for, 105–6, 181–82

supply drops of, 152–53, 155–57, 159, 167–68, 192, 193, 198, 209–10, 268–69, 271

survivors’ hope for, 65–66, 78, 99

Walter’s personnel choices for, 162–65

Sentani Airstrip, 32, 34, 44, 53, 65, 96, 101, 173, 182, 192, 250, 298

sepsis, 93

Shangri-La, 19–30, 301

Archbold’s discovery of, 79, 80–91, 300

base camp at, see Camp Shangri-La

beauty of, 21–22

Elsmore’s first view of, 19–25

Grimes’s discovery of, 19–24

isolation of, 26–27, 115

native inhabitants of, see Native New Guineans

origin of name, 29–30, 31, 333

population estimates of, 84, 85–86, 116, 273

potential dangers of, 24

press coverage of, see press, media

as undiscovered, 84–86

“Shangri-La Society,” 31, 36, 311, 334

Shaw, Clay, 305

shell necklace, 276–77

shooting death, of Native New Guinean, 79, 89

misleading reports of, 90–91

sightseeing flights, 19, 26, 32–43

see also Gremlin Special

Simmons, Walter, 220–27, 229, 235, 249, 278–79, 320

later life and death of, 306–7

sky spirits, 123–24, 126–27, 133–34, 184–85, 197, 201, 202, 214, 230–31, 236, 238, 300, 303

western appearance of, 124, 126

see also Uluayek legend

smiles, 130–32

Smiley (native boy), 365

snatches, 261–64

mechanics of, 266–67

Waco mission, see glider snatch mission

Soldier’s Medal, 307, 309

Spanish-American War (1898), 144–45

Stars of David, 210, 213, 214, 297

“streamers,” 175

swap meets, 269

Swart Valley, 85

sweet potatoes (camote; hiperi), 47, 87, 102, 122, 129, 135, 140, 170, 178–79, 230, 238, 275, 302

Teerink, C. G. J., 88, 89

Thanksgiving feast, 171

33rd Troop Carrier Squadron, 264

311 supply plane, 205, 234, 268, 271, 286, 287, 292

tobacco, smoking, 88, 116, 134, 155, 238, 291, 301

tomatoes, 155–56, 158

“Tommy Gun,” 198

Toots Shor’s, 312

tourism, 301–2

tow planes, 257, 258, 260, 264–65, 266–67

tribes, 117

Truman, Harry S., 1

and atom bomb, 268

Mother’s Day declaration of, 7–8

“turbulence testers,” 174

Ulio, James A., 3

Uluayek legend, 123–24, 126, 230–31, 291, 300

survivors included in, 238

Unciano, Isaac, 250

unh, 138, 169, 280

United Nations charter, 268

“United States Army Outpost at Shangri-La,” 252, 309

USAF Cemetery, Hidden Valley, No. I, 304

Uwambo, 124–40, 155–57, 165–72, 176–80, 184, 190–203, 214, 216–20, 224–31, 240–42, 357

Van Arcken, J. E. M., 88–89, 90, 342

V-E Day, 7–8

Velasco, Roque, 165, 200, 242, 252, 265, 274, 280–81, 298, 307, 320

Verne, Jules, 105

Victory Bonds, 313

Vietnam War, 305

Vision of Sir Launfal (Lowell), 44

Waco CG-4A, 259–62, 259

as dangerous, 260–61, 263

in glider snatch mission, 262–67, 277–80, 285–97

impediments to evacuation by, 263, 277–80

snatches of, 261–62

in World War II, 261–62

Wakde Island, 265, 266, 277–78, 285

Waldo, Cornelius, 99, 193, 213, 215

Walela, Dagadigik, 277

Walela, Keaugi, 276–77, 277

walkie talkies, 153, 167, 187, 204, 213, 227

Walter, C. Earl, Jr., 107, 111, 117, 119, 149, 165, 187, 272, 273–74, 298, 302, 303, 320, 334

admiration of survivors for, 239–41

as amateur anthropologist, 228–31, 271

ankle injury of, 240–41

at “Camp Shangri-La,” 268, 271–73

cultural bias of, 186–89, 198, 202, 228, 230, 270–71

description of Native New Guineans by, 229–30

determination of, 148

as eager for combat, 113–14, 141–44, 148, 217, 232–33, 286, 308

and encounter with Dani tribe, 184–89

father’s approval sought by, 148, 151, 232, 309

in friendship with Cann, 251

high spirits of, 208

impatience of, 217–20, 232–33

journal of, 186, 198–99, 200–201, 202–3, 204, 208, 212, 214, 217–20, 228, 232–33, 239, 270, 286, 309

and life after Shangri-La, 304, 308–9, 308

machismo of, 207

manhood display of, 188

maturity of, 286–87

in media, 224–25

military experience of, 110–14

resourcefulness of, 109

and respect and admiration for 1st Recon troops, 205, 235, 254, 289, 307

in search and rescue mission, 148–51, 162–67, 173–75, 181–90, 239–42

sense of humor of, 228–29

and shell necklace, 276–77

show of force by, 198–99, 284

in trek to survivors’ camp, 200–203

undisciplined early years of, 107–10

Walter, C. Earl, Sr., 107–12, 111, 114, 144, 145, 148, 151, 232, 309

Walter, Sally Holden, 110, 112, 188, 220, 226, 308–9

Wamena, Papua New Guinea, 300–302, 302

Wandik, Gilelek, 169–70

Wandik, Helenma, 100, 125, 126, 128, 133, 196–97, 238, 303, 348

Wandik, Nalarik, 125

Wandik, Sinangke, 133

Wandik, Tomas, 237

Wandik, Wimayuk “Chief Pete,” 127, 131–39, 159, 302, 320

bond between Margaret and, 136, 138, 172

curiosity of, 190

and departure of westerners, 236–38

flexibility of, 134

as friend of survivors, 140, 169–70

in handshake with McCollom, 132

as tribal leader, 133–34, 177

Wandik, Yaralok, 125, 126, 133, 157, 201

Wandik, Yunggukwe, 136–37

pig of, 125, 157, 210, 214, 303, 351

War Department, U.S.:

condolence telegrams of, 214–15

Public Relations office of, 314

warfare:

as basis of Native New Guinean society, 27, 30, 82, 117–22, 123, 128–29, 184, 198, 201, 238, 283, 301

native vs. modern, 27, 118, 122, 129–30

weapons:

modern, 129–30, 183–84, 198–99, 298

Native New Guinean, 87, 88–89, 103, 128, 131, 177, 183–84, 185, 200, 269, 288

Weber, Melvyn, 56

Westmoreland, William, 257

Whitney, Courtney, 142–44, 349–50

Wilhelmina, Mount, 45, 84

Winchell, Walter, 27

women:

Native New Guinean, 87, 116, 118, 120, 121, 122, 123, 170, 198, 202, 230, 231, 270–71

in World War II, 96–97; see also Women’s Army Corps (WACs)

Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), 97

Women’s Army Corps (WACs), 2, 5, 7, 11–13, 60

aboard Gremlin Special, 35–37, 96

in Hanna’s funeral, 304

at Hollandia, 5, 5, 12, 13–16, 96–98

Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS), 97

wooden crosses, 210, 213, 214, 297

World War I, 11, 20, 40, 55, 111, 213, 257

World War II, 1, 5, 33, 248

American casualties in, 3

in Europe, 37–38, 97, 260–61

German surrender in, 7

Japan in, 8, 11–12

in Pacific, 8, 11, 24, 106, 111–12, 260, 268

women in, 96–97; see also Women’s Army Corps (WACs)

Wosi, 184, 198, 199, 201

Wright brothers flight, 257

Yali tribe, 117, 124–27, 129, 139, 184, 197, 357

survivors’ camp near, 124–40, 155–57, 167–72, 176–80, 190–203, 214, 216–20, 224–31, 240–42

Yank, 271

Zuckoff, Mitchell, 303, 309, 351