During a recent visit to a war memorial in Scranton, Pennsylvania, President Joe Biden shared a heartwarming story about his uncle who served in World War II. He spoke about Ambrose Finnegan, his uncle, who flew reconnaissance missions over war zones in single-engine planes for the Army Air Corps. Unfortunately, the plane was shot down over New Guinea, an area known for its cannibals.
However, it is not entirely clear what happened to his uncle after that fateful day. According to the official account by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, the plane was forced to ditch in the ocean off the north coast of New Guinea due to engine failure. An aerial search party found no trace of the missing aircraft or its crew members. Second Lieutenant Ambrose J. Finnegan from Pennsylvania remains unaccounted-for and is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates told CNN that President Biden is proud of his uncle’s service and used his story to emphasize the importance of honoring and supporting veterans. Bates highlighted how President Biden spoke about equipping and caring for those who serve in war as an example of how American veterans are not “suckers” or “losers.” The President used his uncle’s story as a testament to their sacrifices while advocating for supporting and caring for veterans and their families.
Overall, it is important to remember those who have made great sacrifices for our country and continue to support them long after they have returned home.
