There is not much biographical information of this courageous man. W. J. “Jack” Read spent much of his time in northern Bougainville. He therefore had a good view of Japanese ship and aircraft movements down the Slot as they left their main base at Rabaul. Read continued to send messages to the Americans that resulted in early warnings of Japanese attacks along with his teammate Paul Mason in southern Bougainville.

He continued to have harrowing experiences trying to avoid being captured by the Japanese, who desperately wanted him and his native network of spies spread all over the island. He came close to being captured and luckily escaped. He was a true hero like all his coastwatcher “Band of Brothers.”

If you wish to find out more about this man’s exploits, the best source is a book by Walter Lord entitled Lonely Vigil. if you want more information about Lord’s book, click here.

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