THOMAS P. MCCANN, LT, USNR
Thomas McCann '40
Thomas Pieri McCann was admitted to the Naval Academy from Kentucky on June 29, 1936 at age 18 years 10 months.
He resigned on February 18, 1937 because he was "Deficient in studies, first term's work. Recommended to be dropped. Permitted to resign."
Lucky Bag
Thomas Pieri McCann is listed on the page titled “And Some We Knew.”
Loss
Thomas was lost when his F6F-5 Hellcat was shot down over Luzon on December 14, 1944.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Thomas was a pilot with Fighting Squadron (VF) 45 off USS San Jacinto (CVL 30). On December 14, Thomas’ plane was one of 36 shot down over Manila and Luzon Island. The planes were performing a fighter sweep over Clark Field. Flying from nine different ships, the pilots were from fighting squadrons 3, 4, 7, 11, 20, 22, 29 and 41. The bombing had started in October and lasted for four months with 1500 Japanese planes damaged. The American forces regained control of Clark Air Field in January 1945.
Photographs
From the 1940 yearbook of the University of Kentucky
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Thomas was born and lived in Georgetown, Kentucky. His grandfather was Thomas D., and his father was Thomas Bryan. His father was a salesman for stock funds who died in 1941. His mother was Minnie, and her mother Dolly Pieri lived with them. Thomas married Helen McIlvaine on December 1, 1941, in MacClenny, Florida. Her father was an attorney in Jacksonville, Florida.
Thomas graduated from Georgetown’s Garth High School in 1935. At the University of Kentucky’s summer 1940 graduation, he earned a B. S. in commerce and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, Keys, Pershing Rifles, and the Catholic Club. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church.
He rejoined the Navy in March, 1941. He served 30 months in the Atlantic theatre and was in the Pacific area since September 1, 1944. The last letter his mother received was dated December 13. His daughter Reva was age one when he died.
He has a memory marker in Kentucky; he is also listed at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. His wife was listed as next of kin.
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