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Brian Duaine McConahay

Brian Duaine McConahay
U.S. Navy
Airman [E-3]
Biography:
Brian McConahay grew up in the Louisa County area and graduated from Wapello High School. He worked in several local factories before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1965. He was trained as a jet engine machinist and was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS <i>Forrestal</i>. On July 25th the carrier arrived in the Gulf of Tonkin as part of Task Force 77 prepared to launch F-4 Phantoms on strikes against enemy targets. With the deck full of planes ready to depart, a rocket accidently fell from a holder and exploded. This started a chain reaction of detonations and fires that killed 135 pilots and crew. Airman McConahay was killed while fighting the fires. He was buried in Columbus City Cemetery.
County:
Louisa
City of EntryColumbus Junction
Conflict/Time PeriodVietnam War
Service Location
Organization(s)
Separation StatusKilled In Action (KIA)
Specialty/Rate
Specific Jobs