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On 16 March 1943, Newton — now a Flight Lieutenant — led an attack on Salamaua in which his aircraft was hit repeatedly by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. In spite of this he continued through heavy fire and dropped his bombs at low level on buildings and fuel dumps. Newton managed to get his crippled machine back to base.

Two days later, he made an attack on Salamaua with five other Bostons and hit his designated target, but this time the aircraft burst into flames. Newton managed to ditch it in the sea. He and his wireless operator/air gunner, Flt Sgt John Lyon, survived the ditching and were observed swimming for shore.

Newton and Lyon made contact with two friendly natives, but were soon captured by a Japanese patrol and taken back to Salamaua where they were interrogated until May 20, before being moved to Lae, according to official Japanese records. They were interrogated by the feared Japanese military police, the Kempeitai. John Lyon was bayoneted to death shortly afterwards.

Newton was later returned to Salamaua. On March 29, 1943, he was beheaded by the Japanese naval sub-lieutenant who had captured him. He was buried initially in Salamaua Cemetery, but in January 1946, was moved to Lae War Cemetery. In July 1948, the body of John Lyon was discovered near Lae airstrip. He was buried with full military honours near Newton. Newton's Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial Canberra.