(L. to R.) )Pfc. Angelos "Greek" Kambakumis and Sgt.
Mike Natalie. On 17 February, Kambakumis had been one of
the four men who made a daring rush into Cheney Ravine to rescue
S/Sgt Leonard Ledoux of "E" Company when it was discovered that
Ledoux had survived the night of the 16th. Each of the group, Ed
Flash, Tony Lopez, Robert O'Connell and Kambakumis were wounded
as they grabbed Ledoux and placed him on a wire mattress to drag
him back towards the safety of the landing field area. Despite
their efforts, S/Sgt Ledoux died of his wounds prior to arriving
at the Aid Station. All were awarded a Bronze Star for the
rescue. Mike Natalie was 2nd squad, 1st platoon, "F"
Company. He'd joined us in Brisbane and served long and well as
one of my better soldiers. He was always one of my dependables,
sharp and observant. He had spotted a Jap that Todd and Lampman
had both thought dead. When Mike shot him, the Jap, due to
surprise or whatever, sat straight up when Mike shot him.
On 9 October 1945, when I arrived back on Negros from my time in
the 133d General Hospital at Leyte, I heard the sad news that
Mike had been killed in a jeep accident near Pulapandan, and was
greatly saddened by the news.
