President Joe Biden shared the story of his uncle, Ambrose Finnegan, who died during World War II when his plane crashed near New Guinea. Biden mentioned that his uncle’s remains were never recovered, suggesting that this was due to the presence of cannibals in the region. This account differs from the official report by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting agency which states that Finnegan’s plane was forced to ditch in the ocean off the coast of the island for unknown reasons. Biden described his uncle as an Army Air Corps pilot who flew reconnaissance missions over war zones before his plane was shot down.
The DPAA report mentions that three crew members failed to emerge from the sinking wreck and were lost in the crash, while an aerial search the following day found no trace of the missing aircraft or crew members. Biden’s claim that his uncle’s remains were never recovered seems to be true, as Finnegan is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. During a visit to Pennsylvania, Biden paid his respects to his uncle at a veterans’ memorial in Scranton, where Finnegan is also remembered.
White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates confirmed Biden’s pride in his uncle’s service and highlighted the story as a way to honor the commitment to support and care for military members and their families. The White House did not provide further details on Biden’s reference to cannibals preventing the recovery of Finnegan’s remains. Biden’s comments were made while criticizing former President Donald Trump over reports that Trump disparaged US service members killed in battle and chose to skip a ceremony honoring veterans.
Trump has denied the reports, but former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly later confirmed the allegations. Biden’s mention of his uncle’s story was part of his message to honor and support veterans, emphasizing that American veterans should not be seen as “suckers” or “losers.” The story of Ambrose “Bosie” Finnegan serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military members and the importance of honoring their service and commitment to their country. Biden’s personal connection to this story adds a poignant touch to his message of respect and support for veterans.
