Remembering a Hero: The Story of 2nd Lieutenant Donald W. Sheppick

In a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency recently announced the identification of a veteran who had been missing for 81 years. This recognition brings much-needed closure to the family of U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lieutenant Donald W. Sheppick, a 26-year-old from Roscoe, Pennsylvania, who was killed when his aircraft crashed during a critical bombing mission off the coast of Papua New Guinea.

A Fateful Mission

On March 11, 1944, 2nd Lt. Sheppick was serving with the 320th Bombardment Squadron of the 90th Bombardment Group, 5th Air Force. That fateful morning, he boarded a B-24D Liberator bomber named "Heaven Can Wait," which took off from Papua New Guinea as part of a strategic mission targeting enemy positions at Boram Airfield and Awar Point in Hansa Bay.

Once airborne, disaster struck. Witnesses reported flames erupting from the bomber’s bomb bay, possibly ignited by anti-aircraft fire that hit undropped ordnance. The aircraft lost altitude rapidly before crashing into the sea, leaving no chance for survival. Despite significant search efforts from other aircraft in the vicinity, the wreckage yielded no signs of life, and Lt. Sheppick and his crew were presumed lost.

The Aftermath of War

In the years following the war, the American Graves Registration Service tirelessly searched for the remains of airmen who had gone missing in action. Their efforts continued until late 1948, but by 1950, officials declared that they could no longer locate any remains of Sheppick or his crew. They were subsequently deemed non-recoverable, leaving families like Sheppick’s in a prolonged state of uncertainty.

Renewed Efforts and Hard Work

The journey to finding Lt. Sheppick began to gain traction in 2013 when the family of fellow crew member 2nd Lt. Thomas V. Kelly, alongside Dr. Scott Althaus from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, rekindled the search for truth. Their dedication led to the accumulation of historical documents and eyewitness accounts that detailed the tragic crash.

In 2017, the mission took a promising turn when Project Recover located wreckage of the B-24 in Hansa Bay. Using sonar scans, they laid the groundwork for a more detailed investigation. This effort progressed with the involvement of a DPAA underwater investigation team, which conducted several surveys of the crash site between 2017 and 2019.

Finally, in 2023, teams excavated the site, recovering materials that offered new hope for identification. Subsequent analyses by scientists from the DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System employed dental, anthropological, and DNA methodologies, leading to the positive identification of Lt. Sheppick.

A Lasting Legacy

On September 20, 2024, the news reached Sheppick’s family: he had finally been accounted for. His name will be etched with honor on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, accompanied by a rosette symbolizing that he has been identified. Later, Lt. Sheppick’s remains will be laid to rest in Belle Vernon, Fayette County—a deeply emotional homecoming for a hero who has long been missing.

The story of 2nd Lieutenant Donald W. Sheppick serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by countless men and women in the service of their country. His journey from obscurity to identification is a testament to the relentless efforts of dedicated individuals who seek to honor the memories of those who answered the call of duty. As his family prepares for a long-awaited reunion, the legacy of bravery and commitment to service that Lt. Sheppick embodies will continue to resonate through generations.