For more information, donation and pledges of support
Contact : Elwood J Euart Association
Email: [email protected]
During World War II, particularly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the island was used by Allied forces as a military supply and support base, naval harbor, and airfield. In highly fictionalized form, it is the locale of James Michener's Tales of the South
Pacific and the subsequent Rogers and Hammerstein musical, South Pacific. The presence of the Allies later contributed to the island's diving tourism, as the United States dumped most of their equipment and refuse at what is now known as 'Million Dollar Point'. USS Tucker which was the first ship to fire against Japanese in the Pearl Harbour attack, sunk off Malo island by hitting friendly mine 3 months prior to Coolidge sinking. Another wreck off Espiritu Santo, the SS President Coolidge, is also a popular diving spot. The SS President Coolidge was a converted luxury liner that hit a mine during the war. Bradley Wood, a long time residence in Espiritu Santo purchased many memorabilia of WW2 in Espiritu Santo from the US Citizen resided on Aore when he was leaving to go back to the US. He was then asked by then Lord Mayor of Luganville for an idea to uplift Luganville. Bradley contacted four other passionate of WW2 history of Santo, Mr Dave Cross, Mr Bill Widup, Mr Jim Bennie and Mrs Mayumi Green and invited Mr Peter Sakita who represent Luganville council to meet number of time. We formed the association on the 15th September 2012. The association was named after a War Hero in Espiritu Santo island, his name is Elwood J Euart who risked his own life to saved his fellow solders when ex luxury liner then troop carrier tipped on her side after she hit own mine when she entered the harbour of Espiritu Santo, captain of the ship run onto the shore to save lives, but the captain went down with the ship after he saved solders who were trapped. His memorial is stood opposite the sunken location. Association committee members
- Chairman : Bradley Wood
- Vice Chairman : Bill Widup
- Treasurer : Mayumi Green
- Secretary : Rayman Leong
- Project Manager : James Carter
