Harris man killed by Kamikaze attack during Battle of Okinawa
Donald D Heppler was a hospital corpsman on USS Birmingham when it was attacked by a Kamikaze during the Battle of Okinawa. Donald was badly burned and died on May 8, 1945, a date more widely recognized as Victory in Europe Day. Donald was just 19 years old when he died of his wounds.
Hospital Apprentice First Class (corpsman) Donald D. Heppler was born November 7, 1925 and raised in Harris, Iowa, the oldest of five children to Chris and Lucille Heppler. In high school Donald already was a good-looking, well-rounded young man, being a star-athlete (basketball and football), a clarinetist, and active in the Methodist church. He worked in a grocery store stocking shelves and in his spare time liked photography and hunting. Little did anyone know that when Donald enlisted in the Navy right after graduation that he would be at the center of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.
Donald enlisted in August 1943 in Spencer, Iowa, and finished basic training in Idaho. He received his hospital apprentice training in San Diego and Hawaii and was assigned to the light cruiser USS Birmingham (CL-62) in February 1945.
The Birmingham first saw service in June 1943 in the Mediterranean during Operation Husky (Invasion of Sicily) before returning to the United States for repairs and sailing forth for duty in the Pacific in September 1943. For the next 18 months she was engaged in a number of operations and battles. After seeing action in the Solomon Islands, the Mariana and Palau Islands and the Philippines, the Birmingham arrived at Mare Island in late 1944 for repairs and modifications. She returned to service in January 1945. In February she took part in drills off San Francisco and San Diego to test her new guns, equipment and seaplanes. On her way back to the fleet she stopped briefly at Pearl Harbor to refuel and likely pick up new crew, including Donald. By March 1 she reached the fleet off Iwo Jima where the famous battle was in full swing. She joined the coastal bombardment force, destroying Japanese positions in support of U.S. Marine landing forces. Birmingham then was replaced by another ship in order for her to report to Ulithi where she began to make preparations for the planned attack on Okinawa. In March and April, off the coast of Okinawa, Birmingham contributed to the fleet’s anti-aircraft defense against Japanese bombers, then provided fire support as troops moved inland.
At 8:42 a.m. on May 4, 1945, while anchored 500 yards west of Berth H-185, Hagushi Anchorage, Okinawa, the Birmingham was struck by a Kamikaze on her starboard side. The plane penetrated to the third deck and exploded in the sick bay area where Donald was working. Donald was burned severely all over his body and was quickly transferred to the hospital ship USS Mercy, where he succumbed to his injuries on May 8. He was buried in Guam until his remains were exhumed and transferred back to the United States and, eventually, back to Harris, in 1948. Donald was awarded the Purple Heart award posthumously. His name is inscribed on the Okinawa Peace Memorial in Okinawa, Japan.
The kamikaze attack on the Birmingham resulted in the loss of 51 men, including both doctors, and 82 injured. The USS Birmingham was awarded eight battle stars.
Our 5 foot 11 inch, brown hair, bluish-hazel-eyed young man was said to be well-liked, a good worker, and an excellent corpsman. It was also noted he had earned the respect and admiration of the nurses because of his courage and uncomplaining attitude.
Donald’s life was cut short more than 80 years ago, forever connected to a major battle in American military history. Few people who knew him remain, but his story has been passed on and he will always be remembered and honored for his sacrifice.