24 December 1942

Gen Eichelberger launches an attack on Jap positions in the triangle south of Buna Government Station, which block the Allied assault on the central enemy fortifications there.

Despite many acts of great bravery by the Americans, their attack is repulsed with heavy casualties.

Two Americans win the Congressional Medal of Honour for their gallantry: Sgt Elmer Burr gives his life smothering a grenade to save his commanding officer and Sgt Kenneth Gruennert takes an enemy bunker, then loses his life in a heroic attempt to take a second one.