Name:
Frank Joseph Connaghan
Rank:
First Lieutenant
Serial Number:
O-682940
Unit:
362nd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group
Date of Death:
1944-04-24
State:
California
Cemetery:
Lorraine American Cem., Saint-Avold, France
Plot:
E
Row:
5
Grave:
11
Decoration:
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
Comments:
Frank Joseph Connaghan was born on April 4, 1920, in Los Angeles, California. He received his wings and commission in the air forces in June 1943 at Brooks Field, Texas. Frank served in the 362nd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group as a First Lieutenant during World War II. He failed to return from an escort mission to Erding, Germany aboard P-51B #43-7176 aircraft when he collided with Me110, shearing the wing clear off the enemy fighter but was not able to bail out. His plane crashed at Bayerdilling, Germany. 1LT Connaghan was Killed in Action on April 24, 1944, and is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, Saint-Avold, France.