 The Australians had learned about Katagiri 's plans and as a result the 9th Division commander , Wootten , decided to put off his own offensive plans while the Japanese attack was dealt with . It came in the early hours of 17 October , and over the course of the following week heavy fighting ensued around Katika and Jivevaneng . Forewarned , the Australians were able to check these attacks with assistance from American support units , and by the time that the Japanese called off their offensive on 25 October , the Japanese 20th Division had suffered 352 men killed and 564 wounded , while the Australians had suffered 228 casualties . It was during the early stages of this fighting that an American soldier , Private Nathan Van Noy , from the 532nd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment , performed the deeds that resulted in him being posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor . 
