Palawan Massacre -- Rated PG or R

The two American POWs who tried to escape but were caught were Pfc Seldon T. White USMC and Earl V. Wilson USN. They escaped on the afternoon of 23 June 1943 and were caught on the 28th hiding in a civilian’s house. They were caught by Kiyozo Tanaka and Kozo Nakahara, both new recruits (as a reward they were allowed to fire the shots that killed both men). The men were severely beaten then turned over to the Kempei Tai.

The unit holding them (Kinoshita Unit) inquired to Hq in Manila what should be done to the two. Manila told the unit to do whatever they wanted with them. The prisoners first had to show the Japanese how they were able to escape and what route they used. After that they were loaded onto a truck and driven past the airport to the east coast. They were taken off the truck and walked to a coconut grove, sat down and waited while the Japanese dug their graves, and then executed. This was most likely July 4th. White and Wilson are still listed as MIA, which means their bodies were never recovered.

Source: National Archives, war crimes section