Operation: Vunakanau Airfield, New Britain

Date: 21st May 1944 (Tuesday)

Unit No: Torpedo Squadron 305 (VT-305), United States Navy (USN)

Type: TBF-1 Avenger

Serial: #23987

Code: 22

Base: Piva North Airfield, Bougainville

Location: 2 miles south of Kabakon Island, New Britain

Pilot: ENS. Donald Davis Atkiss 263870 USNR Age 22. PoW */Murdered (1)

Gunner: AOM2c. Richard Irl Lanigan 3381863 USNR Age 21. PoW */Murdered (1)

Radio Operator: ARM2c. John Bozer Kepchia 65228343 USNR Age 19. PoW * (2)

* Tunnel Hill PoW Camp, Rabaul, New Britain

US Navy & Aviator ranks:

ENS = Ensign;
AOM2c = Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class;
ARM2c = Aviation Radioman 2nd Class.

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the 21st May 1944 twenty-four (24) aircraft were detailed to attack Vunakanau Airfield, New Britain. Eighteen (18) aircraft from Torpedo Squadron 305 (VT-305) and six (6) from Torpedo Bomber Squadron 30 (TB-30).

The formation approached the target over the Tobera strip in a southerly direction.

At approximately the time when #23987 would have completed his dive an aircraft transmitted a radio message which was heard by the aircraft leading the attack that it had been hit in the engine and was going to make a forced landing.

A call was made to request his position but no reply was received so the leader broke off from the formation and searched the Warangoi River Valley and the area covered by the egress from the target, with negative results.

Another pilot later reported seeing that an SBD or TBF crash into the sea about 2 miles south of Kabakon Island in the St. George’s Channel. No survivors were seen to escape the aircraft. #23987 was the only aircraft that failed to return.

However, it was later established the all three (3) of the crew survived and were captured by the Japanese at were taken to the 6th Field Kempeitai Tunnel Hill Cave PoW Camp in Rabaul.

(1) ENS. Atkiss and AOM2c. Lanigan were two (2) of five (5) PoWs who were subjected to malaria medical experiments.

The other three (3) were:

1st Lt. James A. McMurria O-372644 USAAF;
1st Lt. Jose L. Holguin O-728388 USAAF;
Lt(Jg). Joseph Nason 117057 USNR.

They had been infected with blood taken from Japanese personnel who had been previously infected with malaria or who had the disease at the time. Approximately two (2) to three (3) days after the injections all five (5) of the PoWs exhibited typical malaria symptoms.

On approximately the second day after the first signs of illness, AOM2c. Lanigan slipped into a coma. Medical attention was denied by the medical orderlies on the grounds that the doctor, Capt. HIRANO was not available. Shortly thereafter ENS. Atkiss also fell into a coma and still Capt. HIRANO was reported to be unavailable. The Japanese medical orderlies insisted that the men were not sick despite that it was obvious that they were in a coma.

Capt. (Kaigun-taisa) (Dr) Einosuke HIRANO was from the 24 Field Plague Prevention and Water Supply Unit.

Note: The Japanese word Kaigun preceding a rank indicates that it relates to the navy.

Both men remained in a coma overnight until late in the afternoon of the following day when ENS. Atkiss died on the evening of the 29th July 1945 and AOM2c. Lanigan died the next day on the 30th July 1945. Neither of these men had received any medical attention other than being under observation from the time of their injection until their deaths and even then Capt. HIRANO did not arrive until a day or two after their deaths.

An overview of the investigation into the circumstances of the deaths and those deemed to be responsible for executions and atrocities is summarised in the report entitled “Talili Bay Massacre, New Britain”.

(2) ARM2c. Kepchia was one of only eight (8) PoWs who survived and released from the Tunnel Hill PoW camp on the 7th September 1945 to Australian forces after the Japanese surrender:

1st Lt. James A. McMurria O-372644 USAAF;
1st Lt. Jose L. Holguin O-728388 USAAF;
2nd Lt. Alphones D. Quinones O-748875 USAAF;
S/Sgt. Escoe E. Palmer 34269270 USAAF;
Lt(Jg). Joseph G. Nason 117057 USNR;
WO. Ronald C. Warren 425959 RNZAF;
Capt. John J. Murphy NGX310 AIF.

He was one (1) of a party of twenty-eight (28) service personnel that boarded HMAS Vendetta at Rabaul and brought to Jacquinot Bay on the south coast of New Britain. They were then taken by RNZAF Air-Sea Rescue boat to the Australian Army 2/8th General Hospital at Jacquinot Bay for assessment and treatment.

Above: Enhanced image from The Arizona Republic, dated 11th August 2002

Left to right: 1st Lt. James A. McMurria, 2nd Lt. Alphonse D, ‘Al’ Quinones, 1st Lt. Jose L. Holguin, S/Sgt. Escoe E. Palmer, ARM2c. John B. Kepchia

After approximately three (3) weeks at Jacquinot Bay and Finschafen Hospital, he was turned over to the American authorities at Leyte and left for the United States by sea on the 26th September 1945 enroute to the Seattle Washington Hospital, Washington State.

Records show that he remained in the USNR after returning to the United States. He was discharged from the Untied States Navy on the 25th April 1948. However, he reenlisted on the 24th June 1948 and was posted to Fighting Squadron 61 (VF-61), Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS), Virginia Beach, Virginia as an Aviation Electronicsman Chief Petty Officer (ALC).

John Bozer Kepchia was born on the 7th October 1924 in Export, West Moreland County, Pennsylvania. John passed away on the 29th January 2023 in Monroeville, Alegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Burial details:

Above: Burial notification for ENS. Donald D. Atkiss (Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer, dated 25th June 1948)

ENS. Donald Davis Atkiss. Purple Heart (PH), Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters (AM(2OLC)). Repatriated and laid to rest at the West Laurell Hill Cemetery, Plot, Hanover 437, Montgomery County, Philadelphia on the 26th June 1948. Born on the 29th October 1922 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Son of Abraham Lincoln Sr. and Adeline H. (née Stevens) Atkiss of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Above: Burial notification for AOM2c. Richard I. Lanigan (Courtesy of St Louis Globe Democrat, dated 4th July 1948)

AOM2c. Richard Irl Lanigan. Repatriated and laid to rest at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Section 71, Grave 504 on the 6th July 1948. Born on the 27th March 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri. Son of Irl and Marie Lanigan of St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the crew and their relatives (Apr 2026).

Other sources listed below:

Reference(s):

1. Investigation File: NAA: 336/1/1345 Part 6

Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them. Franklin Delano Roosevelt