Ambrose J. Finnegan Jr. was the son of Ambrose Joseph Finnegan Sr., and Geraldine Blewitt Finnegan. He was born and raised in Scranton Pennsylvania. He graduated from Saint Thomas High School in 1933 where he played football and basketball. He attended the University of Scranton. Ambrose Finnegan Jr. was the brother of Catherine Finnegan Biden, President Joe Biden's mother. (Joe Biden's Uncle Ambrose).
Ambrose J. Finnegan Jr. joined the Army Air Corps in January 1942, along with his brother Jack Finnegan and a neighborhood friend, Franklin McDonald. He underwent training at Kessler Field, Mississippi. By late October 1942 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. The brothers served together overseas in New Guinea when they both entered Officer Candidate School. He and Jack remained together until February 1944 when they graduated OCS.
2nd LT Ambrose Finnegan was assigned to the 5th Air Force, Headquarters Squadron as a courier for the Advanced Echelon (ADVON).
On May 14, 1944 at 5:05pm LT Finnegan was a passenger on board an A-20G Havoc (#42-86768), "Barry's Baby". The plane took off from Momote Airfield on Los Negros Island in the Admiralty Islands. The plane was piloted by Rochester New York native, 1st Lt. Harold R. Prince. The crew included gunner TSgt Ashford H. Cardwell and engineer TSgt Anthony Zulkus.
They were headed 500 miles across the Bismarck Sea to the Nadzab Airfield Complex on New Guinea. The weather was reported as good on the flight route. Before reaching New Guinea's northeast coast, the plane ran into engine trouble and the pilot attempted a crash landing on the water. Approximately 30 feet of above the water both engines failed. The plane hit the water hard and nosed over. LT Prince, LT Finnegan and SGT Cardwell went down with the plane. SGT Zulkus survived the crash and was rescued.
∼Research by Justin Taylan, Pacific Wrecks
Also see The Scranton Tribune, Jan 20, 1942 p. 3, Feb 15, 1944 p.11 & Jul 21, 1944 p.9
Bio by Harry Alexander (49232697)
Ambrose J. Finnegan Jr. was the son of Ambrose Joseph Finnegan Sr., and Geraldine Blewitt Finnegan. He was born and raised in Scranton Pennsylvania. He graduated from Saint Thomas High School in 1933 where he played football and basketball. He attended the University of Scranton. Ambrose Finnegan Jr. was the brother of Catherine Finnegan Biden, President Joe Biden's mother. (Joe Biden's Uncle Ambrose).
Ambrose J. Finnegan Jr. joined the Army Air Corps in January 1942, along with his brother Jack Finnegan and a neighborhood friend, Franklin McDonald. He underwent training at Kessler Field, Mississippi. By late October 1942 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. The brothers served together overseas in New Guinea when they both entered Officer Candidate School. He and Jack remained together until February 1944 when they graduated OCS.
2nd LT Ambrose Finnegan was assigned to the 5th Air Force, Headquarters Squadron as a courier for the Advanced Echelon (ADVON).
On May 14, 1944 at 5:05pm LT Finnegan was a passenger on board an A-20G Havoc (#42-86768), "Barry's Baby". The plane took off from Momote Airfield on Los Negros Island in the Admiralty Islands. The plane was piloted by Rochester New York native, 1st Lt. Harold R. Prince. The crew included gunner TSgt Ashford H. Cardwell and engineer TSgt Anthony Zulkus.
They were headed 500 miles across the Bismarck Sea to the Nadzab Airfield Complex on New Guinea. The weather was reported as good on the flight route. Before reaching New Guinea's northeast coast, the plane ran into engine trouble and the pilot attempted a crash landing on the water. Approximately 30 feet of above the water both engines failed. The plane hit the water hard and nosed over. LT Prince, LT Finnegan and SGT Cardwell went down with the plane. SGT Zulkus survived the crash and was rescued.
∼Research by Justin Taylan, Pacific Wrecks
Also see The Scranton Tribune, Jan 20, 1942 p. 3, Feb 15, 1944 p.11 & Jul 21, 1944 p.9
Bio by Harry Alexander (49232697)
Inscription
In Memory of
Gravesite Details
Lieut U S Air Force---Lost in S W Pacific Area During WW 2---
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
