Bill Newton

Bill Newton (8 June 1919 – 29 March 1943) was an Australian bomber pilot and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry. Born William Ellis Newton, he excelled at sports, particularly cricket, and joined the Citizen Military Forces in 1938. In February 1940, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Newton's actions during March 1943 in Papua New Guinea earned him the Victoria Cross, as he pressed home a series of attacks on the Salamaua Isthmus despite intense anti-aircraft fire. He was forced to ditch his aircraft in the sea and was later taken captive by the Japanese. Newton was executed by beheading on 29 March.