John Patrick McKenna1,2

#6810, (circa 1921 - 8 February 1952)
Father*John T McKenna1 (1883 - 1964)
Mother*Mary Crean1 (c 1887 - 1955)
John Patrick McKenna, b. 2 Mar 1921, res. Jamaica, New York, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Service No. O-460267. "Lieutenant McKenna was the pilot of a F4U-5N Corsair night fighter with Composite Squadron 3, aboard carrier USS Valley Forge (CV-45). On February 8, 1952, while flying a rescue combat air patrol, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and its cockpit was set on fire. He was last seen over Kojo Bay, North Korea. He was presumed dead on May 3, 1954. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. For his leadership and valor, Lieutenant McKenna was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal."
Source: American Battle Monuments Commission.3,4 
Birth*circa 1921He was born circa 1921 at New York City, New York.2 
14 April 1930He appeared on the census of 14 April 1930 in the household of John T McKenna at 107-32 Liverpool Street, Jamaica, Queens, New YorkG, age 9, b. NY; (Mary not recorded.)5 
13 April 1940He appeared on the census of 13 April 1940 in the household of John T McKenna and Mary Crean at 107-32 Liverpool Street, Jamaica, Queens, New YorkG, age 19, b. NY, toy mfg. laborer.6 
Death*8 February 1952He died on 8 February 1952; Korean War.7,8,9 

Citations

  1. [S702] Obituary, The Day, New London, CT, 22 Aug 2011, B4, James J. McKennas, age 76, formerly of Stamford; graduate of Fordham University, WW II vet, personnel mgr for IBM; see exhibit.
  2. [S7] 1930 U.S. Federal Census.
  3. [S1550] American Battle Monuments Commission, online www.abmc.gov.
  4. [S2300] American Battle Monuments Commission (Fold3), online www.fold3.com, https://www.fold3.com/record/530036841-john-patrick-mckenna/…
  5. [S7] 1930 U.S. Federal Census. John (46), b. and parents b. Ireland, marr. age 31, locomotive engineer [Mary not recorded].
  6. [S346] 1940 U.S. Federal Census. John (55), b. Eire, highway project engineer; Mary (52), b. Eire; same house in 1935.
  7. [S2300] American Battle Monuments Commission (Fold3), online www.fold3.com, "Lieutenant McKenna was the pilot of a F4U-5N Corsair night fighter with Composite Squadron 3, aboard carrier USS VALLEY FORGE (CV-45). On February 8, 1952, while flying a rescue combat air patrol, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and its cockpit was set on fire. He was last seen over Kojo Bay, North Korea. He was presumed dead on May 3, 1954. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. For his leadership and valor, Lieutenant McKenna was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal."
  8. [S2310] Access to Archival Databases, online https://aad.archives.gov, see exhibit.
  9. [S2297] Mary McKenna, "McKenna Family Tree" (Connecticut).