Pierce McKennon

Infobox Military Person
name= Pierce Mc KennonUnited States Air Force
born= birth date|1919|11|30
died=
placeofbirth=Clarksville, Arkansas
placeofdeath=


caption=
nickname= "Mac"
allegiance=flag|United States of America
branch=air force|United States

United States Army Air Corps
serviceyears=
rank=
commands=
unit=
battles= World War II
awards=
laterwork=

Pierce Winningham “Mac” McKennon was an American ace of World War II with 12 aerial victories and 9.83 ground victories.

Biography

Pierce McKennon was born in Clarksville Johnson County, Arkansas, on November 30, 1919. He was a gifted musician and entered the University of Arkansas in 1938 but performed poorly and left a year later. He later returned to university but never graduated.

He entered the US Army Air Corps in early 1941 hoping to become a pilot but was refused because of his insufficient aptitudes. He then enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force where he successfully underwent pilot training and became a sergeant pilot by the end of 1941. He was sent to England and became a member of the famous Eagle Squadron, training with the Royal Air Force throughout 1942. In November 1942, he was transferred back to the United States Army Air Force with the rank of second lieutenant.

He was assigned to the 335th Fighter Squadron of the 4th Fighter Group based at Debden near London. McKennon quickly proved his worth as a fighter pilot, shooting down four enemy aircraft while flying the P-47 Thunderbolt. His group then transitioned to the P-51 Mustang, in which in 1944, he downed a fifth enemy plane and earned his designation as an ace. McKennon subsequently served as flight commander and destroyed several other enemy aircraft.

After a promotion to captain, McKennon became took command of the 335th Fighter Squadron. He was shot down by flak on August 28, 1944 near Niederbonn, France, and bailed out safely. With the help of the French resistance, he evaded capture and safely returned to his unit on September 24, 1944. This time a major, he was shot down again while attacking ground targets near Berlin on March 8, 1945. His wingman, Lt. George Green, landed in a nearby field to pick him up. The two pilots disposed of their parachutes to make room, and McKennon flew back to Debden sitting on Green's lap. During a later mission, he was once again hit by enemy fire and wounded.

When the war ended, McKennon was credited with 12 aerial victories and 9.83 ground victories. This odd fraction is explained by the fact that McKennon shared one victory with another pilot (1/2 victory = .50) and another one with two other pilots (1/3 = .33).

McKennon stayed in Europe until April 1946, and returned to the United States to become a flight instructor. He married Beulah Irene Sawyer on May 13, 1946 and the couple had one son. McKennon and a student pilot were killed in a training accident on June 18, 1947 when their airplane crashed near San Antonio, Texas.

Awards

* (4 oak leaf clusters)

* (16 oak leaf clusters)

*

* Croix de Guerre (France)

External links

*Bio from The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture [http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2811]
*Ridge Runner III profile on Mustang! [http://www.mustang.gaetanmarie.com/profiles/ridgerunneriii/ridgerunneriii.htm]