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Papua New Guinea Villager’s Miracle Find of American Soldier’s Class Ring Reciprocated by New Jersey High School

A visit to Alotau inPapua New Guinea by Princess Cruises' Golden Princess yesterday added the finalchapter to the miracle find of a high school ring lost by an American soldierin World War Two.

Last year's emotionalreturn of the ring, found by villager Liam Ngahan, overwhelmed the survivingfamily of Sgt Edward Dodds and his school Audubon High in New Jersey.

Together they decidedto complete the circle by commissioning a unique Audubon High class ring for aspecial presentation to Liam timed for Golden Princess' visit.

When Golden Princessarrived in Alotau, Liam and his family were there to greet the ship and onboardguest lecturer John Hocknull, a former PNG patrol officer who had played acentral role in the class ring's return.

"We are delighted tohave played a part in completing the circle from the discovery of the ring toits return to Sgt Dodds' family and now the presentation of a replacement ringto Liam," Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand StuartAllison said.

"This has been anincredible journey that has struck an emotional chord with so many people andshone a light on the wartime history of the Milne Bay district, which ishappily now best known for its scenery and fascinating culture."

For guest lecturerJohn Hocknull, the presentation of the ring to Liam was the culmination of aremarkable quest to identify the owner of the 1938 graduation ring that Liamhad found buried in the ground near his village.

"It all started witha sightseeing tour of the district when we first met Liam. He showed me thering and I could see that it was an American high school graduation ring andthere was probably a wartime connection," Mr Hocknull said.

"Liam treasured the ringand it was noble of him to part with it so we could try to return it to theoriginal owner's family in America. It was a fair assumption that the ring hadbeen lost by an American soldier based at Alotau during the war. We contacted Audubon High School in New Jersey and the rest, as theysay, is history."

Sgt Dodds' family andAudubon High School have effectively ‘adopted' Liam and his family. In additionto the replacement ring, Liam was presented with textbooks, laptops and $2900raised by the school's Alumni Association.

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