Background
William F. McDonough was born January 24, 1919 to parents Floyd D. McDonough and Frances H McDonough in Temple City, California. He graduated high school and attended two years of college and worked in the production of bakery products. Nicknamed "Mac".
Wartime History
On October 14, 1940 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) at Fort MacArthur as an aviation cadet with serial number 19049386. After completing flight training and earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-417029. Sent overseas to Australia and promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 40th Fighter Squadron (40th FS) as a fighter pilot flying mission over New Guinea. Assigned P-39K Airacobra 42-4358.
On February 6, 1943 McDonough took off piloting P-39K Airacobra 42-4358 on a mission to escort three C-47s bound for Wau Airfield. Also escorting were eight P-40E Warhawks from 7th Fighter Squadron. Meanwhile, a Japanese formation of Ki-48 Lilys escorted by Ki-43-I Oscars from 11th Hiko Sentai (11th Flying Regiment) arrived over Wau and a dog fight commenced. During the air combat, McDonough claimed two aerial victories over "Zeros" [sic Ki-43-I Oscar] and a probable victory of a "Zero" [sic Ki-43-I Oscar). Afterwards, promoted to the rank of Captain and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
During 1944, promoted to the rank of Major and assigned to the 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), Headquarters Squadron (HQ Squadron).
On February 15, 1944 he claimed two victories: a "Zeke" [sic Ki-43 Oscar] and Ki-43 Oscar over Wewak.
On March 4, 1944 he claimed his fifth aerial victory over a Ki-61 Tony roughly five miles northwest of Gusap Airfield and became an ace.
Mission History
On April 22, 1944 took off piloting P-47D Thunderbolt from Port Moresby piloted by Major William F. McDonough and experienced issued and bailed out but his parachute failed to open and died when he hit the ground.
Aerial victory claims
William F. McDonough was officially credited with five aerial victories and became an ace. He also claimed one probable victory. All his aerial victory claims were between February 6, 1943–March 4, 1944 flying the P-39 Airacobra and P-47D Thunderbolt over New Guinea.
| Victory |
Date |
Location |
Aircraft |
Notes on claim |
| 1 |
02/06/43 |
Wau |
Zero [sic Ki-43-I] |
First aerial victory claim. |
| 2 |
02/06/43 |
Wau |
Zero [sic Ki-43-I] |
Second aerial victory claim. |
| |
02/06/43 |
Wau |
Zero [sic Ki-43-I] |
Claimed as a probable victory. |
| 3 |
02/15/44 |
Wewak |
Zeke [sic Ki-43] |
Third aerial victory claim. |
| 4 |
02/15/44 |
Wewak |
Ki-43 Oscar |
Fourth aerial victory claim. |
| 5 |
03/04/44 |
Gusap |
Ki-61 Tony |
Fifth aerial victory claim became an "ace". |
Awards
McDonough earned the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Memorials
McDonough was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section A, site 60.
