711.94114A/7–1144: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
3007. American Interests—Japan. Request Swiss Government to communicate the following message to Gorgé to be delivered textually to the Japanese Government:
“The Government of the United States has received conclusive evidence of the torture and decapitation of an American airman captured by the Japanese in the Aitape area, New Guinea. The airman was decapitated on March 24, 1944, by a Japanese civilian in the presence of an officer of the Japanese Army and fifteen Japanese soldiers. The United States Government protests vigorously against the wanton, inhumane and barbarous methods employed by the Japanese who participated in this base deed.
It has been ascertained that the American airman in question parachuted to earth near Aitape on March 23, 1944, landed in the water and swam ashore. He was taken captive about nine a.m., by Japanese troops near the mouth of the Waimegol Creek, approximately 12 miles east of Aitape. The flier had discarded all equipment except a notebook and a small knife and was wearing only a pair of trousers, belt and socks when he swam ashore. Upon capturing the American flier, the Japanese confiscated the prisoner’s notebook and knife and bound his hands behind his back and commenced beating him with sticks. This beating continued until the afternoon of March 23 at which time the prisoner was taken to the quarters of the Aitape garrison commander, Kurita, at Korako village. Here beating was resumed and continued throughout the night. At 7 o’clock the following morning the prisoner was taken back to the place of capture by Lieutenant Seto and a Japanese civilian named Inouye. There the American was again subjected to relentless beating until 3 o’clock in the afternoon at which time he was decapitated by Inouye with six slashes of the saber. The loud shouts of joy which emanated from the Japanese troops during the torture of the American flier indicate the sadistic character of his tormentors and executioners.
The United States Government hereby charges that the following Japanese are guilty for the wanton murder of the American flier:
- First Lieutenant Kurita, commanding officer, 26th Air Construction Unit.
- First Lieutenant Seto, second in command, 26th Air Construction Unit. Lieutenant Seto was present at the time the American flier was decapitated.
- First Lieutenant Watanabe, third in command, 26th Air Construction Unit.
- Inouye, the Japanese civilian who performed the decapitation. Inouye was the Japanese overseer of coolie laborers in the area in question at the time it was held by the Japanese Armed Forces.
The United States Government holds the Japanese Government responsible for the perpetration of this crime and expects the prompt receipt of assurances from the Japanese Government that
- 1.
- all participants have been punished severely and that
- 2.
- necessary steps to prevent the recurrence of such inhuman treatment of prisoners of war have been taken.”