In April 1942, the USS Searaven (SS196), a Sargo-class submarine, successfully rescued 33 Australian airmen from the northwest coast of Japanese-occupied Timor. The submarine was diverted from a abortive attempt to resupply Corregidor with anti-aircraft ammunition in the last days before it fell to the Japanese. Lieutenant-Commander Hiram H. Cassedy and Ensign George C. Cook were awarded the Navy Cross for their part in the rescue. The officer commanding the Asiatic submarine force, Vice Admiral John E. Wilkes, was responsible for having the boat diverted. But where the order originated remains a mystery. The Royal Australian Air Force based in Darwin coordinated the rescue, so an officer within the Air Force must have made representations to Wilkes or a go between (General Brett?). In short, does anyone know who might have signed off on the rescue? Also, I'm trying to find any information relating to the late Hiram Cassedy and George C. Cook. Any information about this rescue would be greatly appreciated.