Remembering Dover's Ace Pilot

Joseph McConnell, Jr. was born January 30, 1922 in Dover, NH. At 19 years old he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a navigator in a B-24 Liberator during World War II and had an exemplary war record. After the war, he decided to make the Air Force his career. He became a pilot in the USAF in 1948.

During the Korean War he flew combat missions over Korea.  During McConnell’s very first mission in Korea, in January 1953, he shot down an enemy MIG-15. Captain McConnell was shot down April 12, 1953 over the Yellow Sea in a skirmish with several MIGs. He was able to eject safely and was rescued by a helicopter. He returned to combat the same day. He shot down three MIGs during two separate missions, making him a triple ace (fifteen kills). He shot down 16 MIGs in just four months, becoming the highest scoring ace of the war. He still ranks as the top ace in US military history.  His actions in combat earned him a Distinguished Flying Cross and Silver Star.   He later became a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base. On August 25, 1954, during a test flight, his airplane suffered a malfunction. Captain McConnell attempted to fly the plane back to the base but was forced to eject several miles short. He had waited too long; the parachute did not have time to open. Captain Joseph McConnell died upon impact.

Hollywood memorialized Captain McConnell and his exploits in The McConnell Story, starring Alan Ladd and June Allyson. The movie had its premiere at the Strand Theatre here in Dover on August 15, 1955.