Roy Eugene McGhee was born on June 20, 1925, in Pike County, Kentucky. He was the son of Roy Smith McGhee and Susan Elizabeth Prillaman McGhee.

Roy attended Bassett High School, Bassett, VA. He served in the 848th Bomber Squadron, 490th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner on the B-17 #43-39130 during World War II. He was Killed in Action on March 21, 1945, when his plane was shot down over Leipzig, Germany, and it crashed near Strehla. SSgt McGhee is now buried in the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA, together in the same grave with SSgt Chapin, Pvt Dupler, and TSgt Neuenschwander.

B-17 #43-39130 crew:
1Lt William Audette - Pilot - KIA
2Lt Raymond Ankeny - CoPilot - KIA
TSgt Robert Neuenschwander - Radio Operator - KIA
SSgt Ted Chapin - Right Waist Gunner - KIA
SSgt Roy McGhee - Tail Gunner - KIA
Pvt Virgil Dupler - RCM Operator - KIA
2Lt George Gilbert - Bombardier - POW
Lt Lewis Havard - Navigator - POW
TSgt Charles Johnston - Top Turret Gunner - POW
SSgt William Shipp - Ball Turret Gunner - POW

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.americanairmuseum.com, www.honorstates.org