The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
1939-45 Star re-issue. Engraved on reverse with recipient's details.
This 1939-45 Star was issued to Corporal John Bernard Mackey, 2/3 Pioneer Battalion. The 1939-45 Star recognises service in operations between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Qualifying periods varied between services.
John Bernard Mackey was born on 16 May 1922 at Leichhardt, Sydney, and until his enlistment worked in his father's bakery. He embarked with the 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion in November 1941, serving in Syria and in the later operations at El Alamein. He also took part in the New Guinea campaign. The landing on Tarakan Island, Borneo, was the battalion's final campaign.
Mackey had already been recognised as an outstanding and brave junior leader. On 12 May 1945 he displayed those qualities again on Tarakan Island, Netherlands East Indies. Together with his lance corporal, Mackey approached a well-defended position along a steep and narrow spur. Reaching a Japanese light machine-gun post, the two men killed four enemy soldiers, but Mackey's companion was wounded. Mackey killed the remaining Japanese, then dealt with a heavy machine-gun crew in an adjacent bunker. Taking up an Owen gun, he moved towards another heavy machine-gun nest, and managed to silence it before he was mortally wounded.
Mackey was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, and service medals for the Second World War. He was buried in Labuan War Cemetery.
Victoria Cross. Engraved reverse suspender with recipient's details; reverse cross with date of action. John Bernard Mackey was born on 16 May 1922 at Leichhardt, Sydney, and until his enlistment wo
Pacific Star re-issue. Engraved on reverse with recipient's details. This Pacific Star was issued to Corporal John Bernard Mackey, 2/3 Pioneer Battalion. The Pacific Star recognises operational serv
British War Medal 1939-45 re-issue. Engraved around edge with recipient's details. This British War Medal 1939-45 was issued to Corporal John Bernard Mackey, 2/3 Pioneer Battalion. The British War M
Australia Service Medal 1939-45 re-issue. Engraved around edge with recipient's details. This Australia Service Medal was issued to Corporal John Bernard Mackey, 2/3 Pioneer Battalion. The Australia
Africa Star with 8th Army clasp re-issue. Engraved on reverse with recipient's details. This Africa Star was issued to Corporal John Bernard Mackey, 2/3 Pioneer Battalion. The Africa Star was grante
Defence Medal re-issue. Engraved around edge with recipient's details. This Defence Medal was issued to Corporal John Bernard Mackey, 2/3 Pioneer Battalion. The Defence Medal was granted for six mon
Victoria Cross. Engraved reverse suspender with recipient's details; reverse cross with date of action. John Bernard Mackey was born on 16 May 1922 at Leichhardt, Sydney, and until his enlistment wo
