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name
MC GINLEY, Joseph Matthew - Date of
birth
8 March 1917 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-734491 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
364th Bombardment Squadron,
305th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
19 August 1943 - Place of
death
Westerschelde, off Vlissingen, Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 42 | 49 |
Immediate family
-
Members
James A. Mc Ginley (father)
Mary C. (Reilly) Mc Ginley (mother)
Mary M. Mc Ginley (sister)
Anna R. Mc Ginley (sister)
John G. Mc Ginley (brother)
Charles Mc Ginley (brother)
Edward E. Mc Ginley (brother)
Helena A. Mc Ginley (sister)
Paul A. Mc Ginley (brother)
Jeanne A. Mc Ginley (sister)
Mary E. McGonigle (fiancee)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29807 -
Data
Type: B17F
Nickname: Lady Liberty
Destination: Vlissingen, The Netherlands
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 304
More information
2nd Lt Mc Ginley was a graduate of Allentown High School with the class of 1935 after which he matriculated at Muhlenberg College, and was graduated in 1939, having served a year as class president. After college he was employed as a desk clerk at the Hotel Traylor.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 12 January 1942.
He was engaged to be married to Mary Ellen McGonigle.
Two of his brothers also served with the armed forces.
The 'Lady Liberty' s/n 42-29807 was originally assigned to the 334th Bomber Squadron, 95th Bomber Group, Heavy and named 'Patsy Ann III'.
The airplane was hit by flak that caused to break the fuselage in two just behind the radio room.
Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner, eight were killed.
His remains washed ashore on 31 August 1943 at 's Heerenhoek. He was first buried on the Northern cemetery of Vlissingen on 1 September 1943.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.fold3.com - MACR / WWII Draft Card www.ancestry.com - Veteran Compensation Application File / 1930 Census, www.newspapers.com - The Morning Call
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.bevrijdingsmuseum.nl, www.newspapers.com - The Morning Call, www.ancestry.com - Muhlenberg College Yearbook 1939, www.ancestry.com - Muhlenburg College, 1939 (Allentown Pennsylvania)