Operation: Dagua “But East” Airdrome, Dagua, New Guinea

Date: 18th August 1943 (Wednesday)

Unit No: 405th Bombardment Squadron (M), 38th Bombardment Group (M), 5th Air Force

Type: B-25D

Serial: 41-30117

Code: Unknown

Base: 17-Mile Drome (Durand), Port Moresby, New Guinea

Location: About 1¼ miles from the shore opposite the Dagua Airdrome

Pilot: Maj. Ralph Cheli, MOH, DFC, O-399830 AAF Age 23. PoW */Murdered (1)

Co-Pilot: FO. Dummington Maurice ‘Don’ Yancey SS, DFC, T-186492 AAF Age 25. MiA

Navigator: 1st Lt. Vincent Anthony Raney O-437474 AAF Age 25. MiA

Radio Gunner: T/Sgt. Raymond Crawford Warren 15088088 AAF Age 24. PoW/Died/MiA (2)

Aerial Gunner: S/Sgt. Clinton H. Murphree 6282173 AAF Age 26. PoW/Died/MiA (2)

Observer: Capt. John Holtham Hamon Massie NX42188 AIF Age 23. MiA (3)

* Tunnel Hill PoW Camp, Rabaul, New Britain

Above: Maj. Ralph Cheli, Medal of Honor (Courtesy of USAAF - Air Force Magazine, Public Domain)

Above: FO. Dummington M. ‘Don’ Yancey (Courtesy of The Times, dated 3rd September 1943), 1st Lt. Vincent A. Raney (Courtesy of Tim Cook (Not accepting messages) – FindAGrave), T/Sgt. Raymond C. Warren (Courtesy of Young American Patriots – Logan County)

Above: S/Sgt. Clinton H. Murphree (Courtesy of the Durant Weekly News, dated 15th December 1944) , Capt. John H.H. Massie (Courtesy of his Service Record)

REASON FOR LOSS:

While still two (2) miles from Dagua Airdrome “But East” the aircraft was attacked and hit by enemy fighters setting the aircraft ablaze but they continued on to bomb the target.

The loss of Maj. Cheli and his aircraft was further described in a report by Cpl. Jack Alwyn Barber NX98347, Capt. Massie's clerk, after the interrogation of Lt. Pitman, who was the pilot of aircraft #323, and the wingman to aircraft #117 during the mission:

“At approximately 09:30 hrs Major Cheli, Flight Leader in aircraft #117, was observed being attacked by a Zero from 11 o’clock and being hit by enemy MG fire.

Aircraft #323 then approached #117 from the left-hand side and observed that the right engine had caught alight. Both aircraft were by then over the Dagua landing Airdrome and aircraft #117 flew the length of the Airdrome, level and straight before slipping towards the water and making what appeared to the wing man, a crash landing. The aircraft was burning in the right motor and right wing upon landing. No personnel were observed in the vicinity of the crashed aircraft when last seen”.

Note: Information for Lt. Pitman has not been found to date.

The aircraft crashed into the sea about 1¼ miles from the shore opposite the Dagua Airdrome.

The only additional information received since then was a San Francisco paper clipping stating that they received an official Army release saying that it was announced on a Japanese-English broadcast of Tokyo origin that Maj. Ralph Cheli and crew were picked up and were prisoners of war at Rabaul. Also on the 27th February 1944 an unofficial radio broadcast reported that Sgt. Murphree and Sgt. Warren were prisoners of the Japanese.

Above Image caption: Dagua, 21 August: All but 10 of the serviceable planes in the Wewak area, including 30 to 40 here, were destroyed on 18 August, but the enemy brought in new ones. This resulted in another Boram mission on 20 August and on 21 August the coup de grace (Official Photograph - Public Domain)

Above Image caption: A preview of the ultimate doomsday at Dagua is this 5th AF minimum altitude attack on a Jap air strip eight miles west of Wewak on 3 February. The leading North American B-25 (Left) unloads parafrags on three Tonys, while other parafrags pepper the strip. Notice the dim North American B-25 at upper left. At right, a North American B-25 cuts through dense smoke from a burning Helen. (Official Photograph - Public Domain)

(1) Ralph Cheli enlisted in the grade of Flying Cadet at new York City, New York on the 9th February 1940 for service in the Army Air Corps, and was assigned to the Spartan School of Aeronautics, Tulsa, Oklahoma, to receive primary flying training.

Upon completion of his training he was transferred to the Primary Flying School at Randolph Field, Texas and graduated on the 28th July 1940. He was then transferred to the Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas where on the 29th October 1940 he was appointed as a Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) in the Army Air Corps Reserve and received the rating of Pilot on the 30th October 1940. He completed his advanced flying training on the 4th November 1940 and entered on a tour of extended active service as an officer.

He was assigned to the 21st Reconnaissance Squadron at Municipal Airport, Miami, Florida for duty as a pilot. He was promoted to First Lieutenant (1st Lt) on the 1st February 1942. From the 2nd March to the 29th March 1941 he was attached as a student to the Chemical Warfare School at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland. On the 22nd 1941 he departed with the 21st Reconnaissance Squadron for duty at St. Johns, Newfoundland. He returned to the United States on the 2nd September 1941 with his organisation and was assigned to McDill Field, Florida. From the 17th September to the 2nd December 1941 he was placed on temporary duty with the 27th Air Base Group to participate in manoeuvres.

He was relieved from assignment with the 21st Reconnaissance Squadron on the 14th February 1942 and was transferred to the 43rd Bombardment Squadron, 29th Bombardment Group at McDill Field then engaged in submarine patrol off the coast of Florida. He served as pilot and later as Operations Officer with this organisation until the 8th July 1942 when he was assigned to the 405th Bombardment Squadron, 38th Bombardment Group stationed at Barksdale Field, Louisiana.

On the 23rd July 1942 he proceeded to Hamilton Field, California with the 405th Bombardment Squadron, 38th Bombardment Group. He was promoted to Captain (Capt) on the 30th July 1942. He departed the United States on the 6th August 1942 serving as Flight Leader of 4 B-25 type aircraft on a flight to Amberley Field, Brisbane, Australia and arrived at his destination on the 13th August 1942. This was the first group of B-25 type aircraft flown the United States to the combat zone.

He flew his first combat mission on the 15th September 1942 which a strike against enemy installation at Buna, New Guinea. From that date until his capture by the Japanese he completed a total of 40 combat missions. He was promoted to Major (Maj) on the 18th February 1943. During the Battle of the Bismarck Sea on the 3rd March 1943 he distinguished himself by leading his squadron in the first mast-head bombing attacks ever executed during daylight against enemy shipping in the Southwest Pacific Area.

Maj. Ralph Cheli was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor (MoH) on the 28th October 1943 for this action:

Citation: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. While Maj. Cheli was leading his squadron in a dive to attack the heavily defended Dagua airdrome, intercepting enemy aircraft centered their fire on his plane, causing it to burst into flames while still two miles from the objective. His speed would have enabled him to gain necessary altitude to parachute to safety, but this action would have resulted in his formation becoming disorganized and exposed to the enemy. Although a crash was inevitable, he courageously elected to continue leading the attack in his blazing plane. From a minimum altitude, the squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the target. The mission completed, Maj. Cheli instructed his wingman to lead the formation and crashed into the sea”.

The International News Service furnished the United States War Department with a news despatch compiled by their correspondent Lee Van Atta from information given him by the following three (3) liberated American airmen:

- 1st Lt. James A. McMurria, O-372644; (Insert Link when complete)
- 2nd Lt. Jose I. Holguin, O-728388; (Insert Link when complete)
- 2nd Lt. Alphonse D. Quinones, O-748875. (Insert Link when complete)

Mr. Van Atta's report contained, in addition to stories of Japanese atrocities and information concerning other imprisoned Americans, the following statements of the facts surrounding the disappearance of Maj. Ralph Cheli:

"The real hero of our camp was the late Major Ralph Cheli, of San Francisco, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously. It was a strange series of circumstances which we only discovered when we talked with American officers who met us at Rabaul”.

"Cheli was the pilot of a Mitchell Bomber attacking Wewak August 17th, 1943. His plane was set afire before he even reached the target, but, unwilling to break up the group formation, he continued his run, later crashing in flames in the Jungle”.

"He won the Medal of Honor posthumously for his deed, yet we met him at Rabaul only two weeks later, badly burned and banged [up], but otherwise okay. Miraculously he had been thrown clear of the wreckage”.

"Cheli was ranking officer at our camp at that time and the Japs really made life hell for him. They held question and answer sessions with him ten times a day, and beat him when he stubbornly refused to answer anything beyond his name, rank, and serial number. He always was given the worst kind of work detail”.

"But he was always cheerful, always adamant, he wouldn't talk. He didn't either. Finally the Japs got disgusted with him and decided to ship him to Japan. That was March 5th, 1944 and he was due to sail at midnight. He and about 20 other prisoners were marched down to a ship at Kokopo about 8 o'clock that night”.

"At 9:30 our own planes attacked the ship berthed there and Cheli died instantly in the bombing".

Note: The location of the aircraft crash was witnessed to have been in the sea and not the jungle as told above. More importantly the death of Maj. Cheli as described was ultimately proven to be false and a cover story to hid the real reason that he was executed.

After the Japanese were defeated on New Britain it was found that there were only eight (8) surviving Allied PoWs at the Tunnel Hill PoW camp whereas it was expected to find a great many more. An investigation was instigated by the 18th Australian War Graves Unit to determine the fate of the PoWs that were thought to have been held on New Britain.

The investigation found that Maj. Cheli was initially held at the PoW camp at Rabaul. He was amongst the approximately fifty-four (54) PoWs who were moved from Rabaul to the Tanoura Mountain pass by truck. Surviving PoWs last saw Maj. Cheli on the 4th/5th March 1944 suffering badly from Beri Beri.

It was claimed by the Japanese that Maj. Cheli was amongst thirty-one (31) PoWs who were killed in an Allied air-raid on the 4th/5th March 1944. However, after interrogating Japanese officers and soldiers stationed at Rabaul during the war the investigation came to the conclusion that this claim was not credible and that the PoWs had been executed.

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

(2) An Australian Board of Inquiry determined that three (3) survivors from the crash were brought to shore by Japanese fishermen and taken to Japanese 59th Fighter Squadron Headquarters (HQ) at the Dagua Airdrome. One (1) was a Maj. who was able to walk and the other two (2) were NCOs who were on stretchers.

They were treated by a Capt. (Rikugun-Tai-I) (Dr) HANADA Yoshinori from the 51st Airfield Battalion. One NCO had two bullet wounds, one above the thigh the other to the stomach which was deemed to be serious. Dr. HANADA was of the opinion that the NCO was in a bad condition and through he would not survive. The other NCO had two broken ribs and an injured eye which he deemed not to be serious unless other complications such as Dysentery or Malaria, set in.

The Japanese word Rikugun preceding a rank indicates that it relates to the army.

T/Sgt. Warren or S/Sgt. Murphree have no known graves and as a consequence they are still MiA.

(3) John Holtham Hamon Massie initially enlisted in the RAAF on the 18th September 1940 and re-mustered for initial Pilot training. However, whilst in Rhodesia, 402666 LAC. Massie was categorised as medically unfit to undertake aircrew duties and was discharged from the RAAF on the 15th July 1941.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) on the 7th August 1941. He was appointed to Acting Lieutenant in the 2/7th Australian Calvery Regiment on the 23rd June 1942 and on the same day to Lieutenant.

He was then seconded to the 2/1st Air Liaison Section and then to the Australian Intelligence Corps and appointed the Liaison Officer with the New Guinea Force Air Liaison Group. Promoted to temporary Captain on the 3rd June 1943. He flew some 40 missions with the 405th Bombardment Squadron over the year he was attached.

It was reported that he was the only Army Air Liaison officer to be a member of the “Caterpillar Club” having baled out from a plane over Port Moresby in July 1943 which had been badly damaged, however, the Pilot brought the aircraft back and landed safely.

Note: Details of the date, mission, aircraft and crew are being researched, as are the details of his entry into the “Caterpillar Club”.

Capt. Massie was flying with Maj. Cheli and crew to photograph the damage caused by raids on Wewak, a Airdrome to the NW of the Dagua Airdrome.

Burial details:

Above group burial marker including Maj. Ralph Cheli, Medal of Honour (Courtesy of KcK - FindAGrave)

Maj. Ralph Cheli. Medal of Honor (MOH), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Purple Heart (PH) Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster (AM (OLC)). Ashes repatriated and laid to rest on the 21st March 1950 in a group burial at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Missouri, Plot 78, Grave 930 to 934. Born on the 29th October 1919 in San Francisco, California. Son of Robert Alfred and Julia M. (née Martinelli) Cheli of San Francisco, California. Husband of Geraldine Marie (née Reilly) Cheli of Dawson, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.

Above: FO. Dummington Maurice ‘Don’ Yancey, Manila American Cemetery, Walls of the Missing (Courtesy of the ABMC)

FO. Dummington Maurice ‘Don’ Yancey. Silver Star (SS), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Purple Heart (PH). Manila American Cemetery, Tablets of the Missing (Date of death 18th August 1943). Born on the 2nd January 1919 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Son of Sgt. Donnie Napoleon (deceased in April 1931) and Louise B. Yancey of Phoenix, Arizona. Husband to Lois Catherine (née McCuen) Yancey of Greenville, South Carolina, USA.

Above: 1st Lt. Vincent Anthony Raney, Manila American Cemetery, Walls of the Missing (Courtesy of the ABMC)

1st Lt. Vincent Anthony Raney. Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Purple Heart (PH), Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster (AM (OLC)). Manila American Cemetery, Tablets of the Missing (Date of death 18th August 1943). Born on the 17th September 1917 in Struthers, Mahoning County, Ohio. Son of Frederick and Mary (née Fagzeni) Rayney of Struthers, Mahoning County, Ohio. Husband to Annette (née Terihay) Raney Struthers, Mahoning County, Ohio, USA.

Above: T/Sgt. Raymond Crawford Warren, Manila American Cemetery, Walls of the Missing (Courtesy of the ABMC)

T/Sgt. Raymond Crawford Warren. Purple Heart (PH), Air Medal (AM). Manila American Cemetery, Tablets of the Missing (Date of death 3rd December 1945). Born on the 21st April 1919 in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Son of Robert H. and Alta K. Warren of Logan, West Virginia, USA.

Above: S/Sgt. Clinton H. Murphree, Manila American Cemetery, Walls of the Missing (Courtesy of the ABMC)

S/Sgt. Clinton H. Murphree. A Purple Heart (PH), Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster (AM (OLC). Manila American Cemetery, Tablets of the Missing (Date of death 3rd December 1945). Born on the 22nd January 1917 in Oklahoma. Son of John Monroe and Ida J. (née Lindsey) Murphree of Caddo, Bryan County, Oklahoma, USA.

Above: The Lae Memorial (Courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC))

Capt. John Holtham Hamon Massie. Lae War Memorial, Panel 1, Papua New Guinea Born on the 18th March 1920 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Son of Robert John Auright and Phyllis Wood Massie of Bellevue Hill, New South Wales, Australia.

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

Other sources listed below:

References(s):

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