Pennsylvania airman killed in WWII now accounted for, to be buried in Belle Vernon
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A Washington County soldier who was recovered in 2017 is now set to be buried in Pennsylvania.
U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Donald W. Sheppick, 26, of Roscoe, Pennsylvania, was serving during World War II when he was deployed as part of a mission. In March 1944, he was assigned to the 320th Bombardment Squadron, 90th Bombardment Group, 5th Air Force and deployed in present-day Papua New Guinea.
On March 11, he was on board the B-24D Liberator bomber called 'Heaven Can Wait' as part of a bombing mission against enemies on the northern coast. Observers from another aircraft reported seeing flames erupting from the bomb bay, spreading to the tail quickly.
19-year-old Pennsylvania soldier killed in WWII bomber crash accounted for
Heaven Can Wait was seen pitching up violently before banking left and crashing into the water. It is believed that fire from the enemy hit the plane, causing an explosion. Several aircraft circled the crash site in hopes of locating any possible survivors, but none were found.
After the war, military units started recovery missions for missing Americans in the Pacific Theater, and extensive searches were conducted, but the Heaven Can Wait crew members were not found.
Then, between 2013 and 2017, a family member of another crew member worked to collect historical data about the accident and present that information. In 2016, Project Recover located the wreckage of the ship in Hansa Bay using sonar scans. In 2019, a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency underwater investigation team conducted several surveys of the wreckage, performing visual inspections and clearing the site of any dangers.
From March 9 through April 13, 2023, an underwater recovery team excavated the crash site, where they recovered possible osseous materials and material evidence, including life support equipment and identification tags. The recovered evidence was sent to the DPAA Laboratory for review and analysis.
Sheppick was then identified using dental and anthropological analysis as well as circumstantial evidence. His family received a full briefing from the DPPA.
His name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to show that he has been accounted for.
He is set to be buried in Belle Vernon at a later date.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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