Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Flight Sergeant John Orgill was awarded the Commendation for Gallantry for actions while a Prisoner of War for attempting to escape from the Imperial Japanese Army near Tomohon in the Northern Celebes on 27 July 1945. Flight Sergeant Orgill was shot down over the Northern Celebes on 27 July 1945. He refused to seek safety until he had ascertained the fate of the other crew members, but was arrested. Whilst being escorted to a cell at the Kempeitai jail at Kakaskasen, he snatched the bayonet from the scabbard of one of his guards and attempted to escape. As a result he was severely beaten and later found deceased in his cell. - ^{Defence Honours and Awards}