He was born in Clarksville, AR and
died in San Antonio, TX; after the student pilot he was instructing crashed
Husband of Beulah Irene Sawyer McKennon
He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II; receiving many honors and awards

There was an exhibit at the Fort Smith, AR museum with his photos, awards and things. April 2007 Including the below "introducing the exhibit".


Pierce Winingham McKennon, Arkansas' leading "Ace" of World War II,
was born in Clarksville, Arkansas, on November 30, 1919. He moved with his
family to Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1921. Pierce graduated from Fort Smith
High School in May, 1937, and attended the University of Arkansas on a
music scholarship.

Pierce joined the Army Air Corps bur was "washed" out because he had "no
inherent flying ability," He immediately joined the Royal Canadian Air Force
and earned his wings in December 1941 and was sent to Scotland, Before he
could fly combat missions with te RCAF, he was transferred to the U.S.
Army Air Corps and was assigned to the 335th Fighter Squadron, Fourth
Fighter Group, stationed at Debden, England. He flew his first combat
mission nine days later on February 27, 1943 in a Spitfire V. Shortly
afterwards he was assigned a Republic P-17. In July 1943, Pierce McKennon
scored his first "kill" a FW-190. He was the first "non-Eagle Squadron"
member of the 4th Fighter Group to score a "kill," Later his unit transitioned
to P-51 Mustang's and he named his plane "Ridge Runner" and had a
"Razorback" hog painted on the nose.

Pierce was promoted to Captain in April 1944 and after 140 combat missions
he was sent home to rest. On his return to England, he was named the
commander of the 335th Fighter Squadron and was promoted to Major in
1945. He finished the war with 20 German planes to his credit, 12 in the air
and 8 on the ground, and he had flown 204 combat missions.

In 1946 he married Beulah Irene Sawyer, a 1943 graduate of Fort smith High
School, Miss Sawyer had been named the first "Miss Fort Smith" in July,
1945.

Major McKennon was transferred to Randolph Field in San Antonio, Texas.
Major McKennon was killed when the AT-6 Texan he was instructing a
student polot in crashed. Major McKennon was buried on June 23, 1947, with
full military honors, in Forest Park Cemetery in Fort Smith. Six P-51
Mustangs flew overhead saluting their fallen comrade.
∼++++++++++++++++++++

Pierce Winningham "Mac" McKennon
was a talented musician.
He is also remembered
as a famous WW II
flying ace.

He destroyed 20 German aircraft
and earned the:
* Distinguished Flying Cross
with four clusters,
* the Air Medal with 16 clusters,
* the Purple Heart,
* the Distinguished Unit Citation,
* the Croix de Guerre.

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Pierce McKennon was SON to
FATHER - Dr. Parma D. McKennon
( a dentist)
MOTHER - Inez Winningham McKennon

He had two siblings:
BROTHER - (?)
BROTHER - (?)

+++++++++++++++++++

McKennon joined the U.S. Army
Air Corps in 1941. He wished to
be a pilot. He left shortly after
signing-up. In Canada, he became
part of the Royal Canadian Air Force
(RCAF). There, McKennon became an
aviator. He eventually went back to
the US and joined the armed services.

McKennon was part of the
6th Fighter Wing of the 8th Air Force.
He was eventually transferred to the
335th Fighter Squadron of the 4th
Fighter Group outside London.
McKennon brought down 4 enemy aircraft
with his P-47 Thunderbolt. Next, he
piloted the famed P-51 Mustang. It was
in this aircraft he took down a 5th enemy
aircraft in 1944. This action earned him
the designation as 'an ace'.

++++++++++++++++

McKennon was HUSBAND to
WIFE - Beulah Irene Sawyer

They werre wed on May 13, 1946

He was FATHER to one child
SON - (?)

+++++++++++++++++++++

McKennon was killed in a
plane crash in Texas.

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***SYMPATHY NOTES***

"A good man to
stand-the-test-of-time
who cared greatly and
was respected and
mourned by many..."

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This biography is
humbly presented by
Audrey Burtrum-Stanley / Arkansas

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