SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — The remains of U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Franklin “Frank” McKinney returned home to Rhode Island earlier this week, more than 80 years after he was killed in World War II.
McKinney, who grew up in Narragansett and graduated from South Kingstown High School in 1941, is believed to have died on Nov. 5, 1944, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
The 21-year-old pilot with the 35th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron, 14th Air Force, took off from Beitan Airfield in Yunnanyi, China, that day for a mission targeting Thailand and Burma…