MCKENNY, Clifford Richard
| Service Number: | 574 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 September 1939 |
| Last Rank: | Squadron Leader |
| Last Unit: | No. 80 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 30 April 1918 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Wewak, New Guinea, 13 May 1944, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Lae Memorial, Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Lae Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Squadron Leader, 574 | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Sep 1939: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force | |
| 4 Sep 1939: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 574 | |
| 13 May 1944: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 574, No. 80 Squadron (RAAF), Air War SW Pacific 1941-45 |
Help us honour Clifford Richard McKenny's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Squadron Leader McKenny 574 in 80SQN Kittyhawk A29-554 was hit by AA fire over Wewak and crashed into the sea near Kairiru Island - his body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Lae Memorial
On the 9th of December 1941 Flying Officer McKenny in 21SQN Brewster Buffalo W8224 was returning to Butterworth airfield in Malaya from an escort mission and had just landed when the base was attacked by Japanese aircraft
Flying Officer McKenny climbed up to engage them in a head on attack; his Buffalo burst into flames after receiving multiple hits. He bailed out into the sea but received severe burns to his face; he was picked up by an air / sea rescue launch.