RAAF
22 Squadron
Daniel Leahy 2004
Pilot FLTLT
William Ellis Newton, VC, 250748 (KIA)
Bomb / Nav FSGT
John Lyon 401706 (KIA)
Gunner SGT Basil Gilbert Eastwood, 13055 (MIA)
Ditched March 18, 1943
Aircraft History
RAF Serial Number AL887. Allocated to the Netherlands East Indies Air Force. On their way via ship to the Netherlands East Indies, they were diverted to RAAF in March 1942. Served with 22 Squadron with tail code DU-Y.
Mission History
Ditched off Salamaua after being hit by anti-aircraft fire
while on a bombing mission on March 18, 1943. The pilot and navigator
survived the crash, and were taken prisoner by the Japanese executed.
Gunner Eastwood did not escape the aircraft and is currently listed
as MIA. Both FLTLT Newton and FSGT Lyon are buried at the Lae War Cemetery.
Newton's Legacy
FLTLT Newton was posthumously earned the Victoria Cross [ read citation ] on
October 20, 1943 for his efforts on March 16, 1943. He was the RAAF's
only Victoria Cross winner of the Pacific War. His medal is displayed at the Australian
War Memorial. At Nadzab the No.
4 Strip was named in "Newton Field" in his honor.
DB-7
MIA
