TEPUNI-WILLIAM

During World War II, Life Magazine published a section entitled “Roll Of Honor” which honored military personnel who had received special awards for heroism.  The May 4, 1942, issue of Life Magazine contained the following:

WILLIAM TEPUNI

“This ensign in the Naval Reserve was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for outstanding courage, initiative and flying skill in sinking a submarine off the Atlantic Coast.  Ensign Tepuni, while on patrol duty, sighted a U-boat and bombed it until it lay crippled and helpless.  Ensign Tepuni, aged 26, was born in San Francisco.  He attended schools in San Francisco and St. Mary’s College, Moraga, California.  He was graduated from Pensacola and commissioned ensign in the Naval Reserve in 1940.”

DISTINGUISHED  FLYING  CROSS  CITATIONS

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign William Tepuni (NSN: 0-83095), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the line of his profession, displayed on 1 March 1942, while participating in an aerial flight as Pilot of a U.S. Navy Patrol Plane. His alertness, skill and correct estimate of the situation resulted in a prompt, and well executed attack. His performance of duty on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

Lieutenant Commander William Tepuni (NSN: 0-83095), United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a medium bomber and group leader in a patrol bombing squadron on 21 March 1945.

Historical records indicate that the submarine sunk by then Ensign Tepuni on March 1, 1942, was the German U-boat U-656 which was on its first war patrol off Cape Race, Newfoundland, when attacked.  Tepuni reportedly sighted the submarine on the surface from fifteen miles away while piloting a Lockheed Hudson of VP-82 out of NAS Argentia, Newfoundland.  Apparently the submarine took no notice of the approaching aircraft which dropped two depth charges which straddled U-656 on either side.  She submerged leaking oil, was unable to resurface and became the first German U-boat to be sunk by the U.S. Navy in World War II.  Records reflect that then Lieutenant Commander Tepuni was killed in action on March 21, 1945, while leading a VP-1 bombing raid against the Japanese at Cebu City, Philippines.  After successfully bombing their target his plane was destroyed by anti-aircraft fire.  He was buried at the American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)