The Ancestors and Cousins of Tracy Lynn DeVault

Anna Bashor^1,2

F, #25401, b. 4 May 1808, d. 29 May 1895

Family: David Garst (b. 3 June 1814, d. 29 September 1886)

Son	Thomas Chester "Tom or TC" Garst+ (b. 11 June 1848, d. 18 December 1925)

BASIC FACTS

Anna Bashor was born on 4 May 1808 in Pennsylvania.^1,2 She and David Garst were married on 28 July 1841.¹ She died on 29 May 1895, at age 87.¹

Anna Bashor had reference number 25678.

Citations

[S6475] Genealogy prepared by Keith Nonemaker
[S359] 1880 Census, Tennessee, Washington County

Family Explorer

Mary Overfelt¹

F, #25402

Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Mary Overfelt and David Garst were married on 28 December 1835 in Franklin Co., Virginia.¹

Mary Overfelt had reference number 25679.

Citations

[S6475] Genealogy prepared by Keith Nonemaker

Family Explorer

William James Riley McConnell¹

M, #25403, b. 1 June 1831, d. 29 October 1902

Pedigree Link

Family: Mary Jane Webb (b. 1852)

Son	Fred Nando McConnell+ (b. 25 February 1882, d. 22 January 1943)

BASIC FACTS

William James Riley McConnell was born on 1 June 1831 in Macon Co., North Carolina.² He died on 29 October 1902, at age 71, in Clay Co., North Carolina.¹ He was buried in Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Clay Co., North Carolina.¹

William James Riley McConnell had reference number 25680.

Citations

[S6336] Genealogy prepared by John W. Andrews (email address)
[S6475] Genealogy prepared by Keith Nonemaker

Family Explorer

Mary Jane Webb¹

F, #25404, b. 1852

Pedigree Link

Family: William James Riley McConnell (b. 1 June 1831, d. 29 October 1902)

Son	Fred Nando McConnell+ (b. 25 February 1882, d. 22 January 1943)

BASIC FACTS

Mary Jane Webb was born in 1852 in North Carolina.¹

Mary Jane Webb had reference number 25681.

Citations

[S6336] Genealogy prepared by John W. Andrews (email address)

Family Explorer

Julia Jennetta Moore¹

F, #25405

Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Julia Jennetta Moore and Fred Nando McConnell were married on 22 November 1901 in Towns Co., Georgia.¹

Julia Jennetta Moore had reference number 25682.

Citations

[S6336] Genealogy prepared by John W. Andrews (email address)

Family Explorer

Fred Nando McConnell, Jr.¹

M, #25406, b. 23 April 1918, d. 21 October 1945

Parents

Father	Fred Nando McConnell (b. 25 February 1882, d. 22 January 1943)
Mother	Anna Mary Garst (b. 16 December 1885, d. 20 February 1944)

Pedigree Link

Family: Mary Louise Klein

Daughter	Connie Lou McConnell
Son	Thomas McConnell

BASIC FACTS

Fred Nando McConnell, Jr., was born on 23 April 1918.^2,1 He and Mary Louise Klein were married on 12 July 1942 in California.² He died on 21 October 1945, at age 27, in Garden Plain, Kansas.³

Fred Nando McConnell, Jr., was also known as Fred J. McConnell.² He had reference number 25683. World War II, U.S. Army Air Corps, 13th Air Force(South Pacific), Captain, B-24 co-pilot.² NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - Wichita Eagle, Saturday, April 10, 1954, page 1

The Wichita Air Force Base will be renamed in honor of three Wichita brothers, two of whom died in Air Force service, it was announced by the Air Force yesterday. The three McConnell brothers, Thomas, Fred, and Edwin entered the service the same day and
went into combat in the South Pacific on the same day. Thomas, 20, died on their third mission on a B-24 bomber flying from Guadalcanal on July 10, 1943. Fred, 28, died in a plane crash at Garden Plain, Kansas October 25, 1945. The survivor of the three, Edwin, resigned from the Air Force in August 1945 and is now a sophomore at the University of Colorado. There are two other brothers and four sisters, one of whom, Mrs. Pauline Peckover, 236 South Florence, lives in Wichita.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - October 1945

Capt. Fred McConnell (27) died in the crash of a small private plane while changing assignments.

OBITUARY - Wichita Eagle, Monday, October 22, 1945, page 1

Report of death yesterday afternoon of noted Wichita pilot, Captain Fred McConnell, 26, when his low flying plane struck a high-tension power line one-half mile west of Garden Plain and crashed in a field. He was the second of the three flying McConnell brothers to die, and had survived 61 missions as a B-24 pilot in the South Pacific. Details. Photo.

Citations

[S7581] Genealogy prepared by Wayne Lucore (email address)
[S9288] Newspaper Article - The Wichita Eagle
[S10207] Obituary - Fred J. McConnell

Family Explorer

Edwin Maurice McConnell¹

M, #25407, b. 29 January 1921, d. 1 September 1997

Parents

Father	Fred Nando McConnell (b. 25 February 1882, d. 22 January 1943)
Mother	Anna Mary Garst (b. 16 December 1885, d. 20 February 1944)

Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Edwin Maurice McConnell was born on 29 January 1921.^1,2 He died on 1 September 1997, at age 76.²

Edwin Maurice McConnell had reference number 25684. World War II, U.S. Army Air Corps, 13th Air Force(South Pacific), Lieutenant, B-24 co-pilot.¹ His Social Security Number was 513-05-7495, issued: Kansas, last residence: Englewood, Arapahoe Co., Colorado.² NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - Wichita Eagle, Saturday, April 10, 1954, page 1

The Wichita Air Force Base will be renamed in honor of three Wichita brothers, two of whom died in Air Force service, it was announced by the Air Force yesterday. The three McConnell brothers, Thomas, Fred, and Edwin entered the service the same day and
went into combat in the South Pacific on the same day. Thomas, 20, died on their third mission on a B-24 bomber flying from Guadalcanal on July 10, 1943. Fred, 28, died in a plane crash at Garden Plain, Kansas October 25, 1945. The survivor of the three, Edwin, resigned from the Air Force in August 1945 and is now a sophomore at the University of Colorado. There are two other brothers and four sisters, one of whom, Mrs. Pauline Peckover, 236 South Florence, lives in Wichita.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - Morning Sun

Rededication reunites Wichita's 'Flying McConnell Brothers'
WICHITA (AP) -- At long last, the "Flying McConnell Brothers" are reunited.
McConnell Air Force Base was rededicated Monday to include the late Lt. Col. Edwin McConnell -- the third brother in a family of World War II heroes.
The base was first dedicated in 1954 in honor of 2nd Lt. Thomas McConnell and Capt. Fred McConnell. Edwin was the only survivor of the three brothers, and since the military rarely names air bases after the living, his name was left out of the dedication.
"That was one of his last wishes -- to be added to this dedication," Edwin's widow, Yvonne McConnell.
The three brothers, all Wichita natives, joined the Army Air Corps together during World War II. They were famous in their home state for their identical careers as combat co-pilots of B-24 Liberator bombers with the 13th Air Force Bomber Command at Guadalcanal.
Mark Von Tilius, Edwin's stepson, said during Monday's ceremony that there is a simple reason the men were honored: "The Flying McConnells gave us their youth, their courage, their bravery and their lives."
Thomas was killed in 1943 at the age of 20 when his plane crashed into a fog-covered mountain after a bombing run on a Japanese airfield. Fred died shortly after World War II at age 27 when his private plane crashed near the Garden Plain Air Force Base west of Wichita.
Edwin flew 56 missions and was awarded the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal. He retired from the military after the war.
He died in 1997 in Englewood, Colo., after battling leukemia and Parkinson's Disease.
Von Tilius said his stepfather taught him "the necessity of not just being a citizen but a responsible one."
The rededication celebration will continue Wednesday with an air show at the base.
The air show, called "Thunder in the Heartland: Wichita Air Power Blitz," will feature flyovers, demonstrations and displays.

Citations

[S9288] Newspaper Article - The Wichita Eagle
[S12398] Social Security Death Index, Source Medium: Book

Family Explorer

Thomas Luverne McConnell¹

M, #25408, b. 9 April 1922, d. 10 July 1943

Parents

Father	Fred Nando McConnell (b. 25 February 1882, d. 22 January 1943)
Mother	Anna Mary Garst (b. 16 December 1885, d. 20 February 1944)

Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Thomas Luverne McConnell was born on 9 April 1922.^1,2 He died on 10 July 1943, at age 21, in near Cape Esperence, Guadalcanal, South Pacific.¹ He was buried in Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii, Plot B, Row 0, Grave 1195.

Thomas Luverne McConnell had reference number 25685. World War II, U.S. Army Air Corps, 13th Air Force (South Pacific), Lieutenant, B-24 co-pilot.¹ NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - Wichita Eagle, Saturday, April 10, 1954, page 1

The Wichita Air Force Base will be renamed in honor of three Wichita brothers, two of whom died in Air Force service, it was announced by the Air Force yesterday. The three McConnell brothers, Thomas, Fred, and Edwin entered the service the same day and went into combat in the South Pacific on the same day. Thomas, 20, died on their third mission on a B-24 bomber flying from Guadalcanal on July 10, 1943. Fred, 28, died in a plane crash at Garden Plain, Kansas October 25, 1945. The survivor of the three, Edwin, resigned from the Air Force in August 1945 and is now a sophomore at the University of Colorado. There are two other brothers and four sisters, one of whom, Mrs. Pauline Peckover, 236 South Florence, lives in Wichita.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - July, 1943

Lt. Thomas McConnell of Kansas crashed in his B-24 Liberator in deep fog on Guadalcanal after a strike against a Japanese air field. He was the youngest of the 3 "Flying McConnell Brothers."

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION
Thomas L. Mc Connell
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # 0-736281
424th Bomber Squadron, 307th Bomber Group, Heavy
Entered the Service from: Kansas
Died: 10-Jul-43
Buried at: Plot B Row 0 Grave 1195
Honolulu Memorial
Honolulu, Hawaii
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart

INTERNET ARTICLE
USAAF, 13th AF, 5th BG, 72nd BS
B-24D-80-CO Liberator Serial Number 42-40646; written off December 1, 1943; crashed Crashed near Cape Esperence, Guadalcanal

Mission History
Lt. Raymond W. Price (424th BS) and crew did not return from the July 10, 1943 mission to Kahili. The Esperance radar operator reported that a large plane was tracked to the ground four miles inland from Cape Esperance. Lts. Fred and Ed McConnell of the 424th searched the area on the morning of the 11th and found the wreckage of a B-24 in a ravine inland from Yenton Point. The area has an altitude of about 1000 feet and the wreckage scene indicated that the plane was approaching from the sea. The aircraft was written off on July 11, 1943.

Other crew on Price's aircraft were:
Thomas L. McConnell
Arnold H. Recknagel
James L. Taylor
Louis (NMI) Orihuela
Dayle C. Potter
Emery E. Jacaway
Warren S. Ryan
Delvan E. Hazelrigg
William (NMI) Rothman
Peter J. Tenorella

Wartime History
This plane was assigned to the 72nd B.S., 5th Bomb Group, 13th Air Force. It may have been nick named "Alley Cat". It was officially written off in US records on December 1, 1943 as "condemned," but this doesn't mean the date of crash, although that is often within a day or two, or sometimes the exact date it was lost. The fact that it was listed as condemned rather than missing or crashed confuses the issue. This B-24 went into service is long after there was any serious Japanese air activity in the Guadalcanal area, so it probably was not a combat loss.
The 72nd BS, 5th BG was based on Espiritu Santo, and operated from Guadalcanal from October 4, 1942 to August 8, 1943, then from October 7 1943 - November 15 1943, and then December 14 1943 to January 27 1944, before moving north to Munda Point.
Since the condemned date (which doesn't always accurately reflect the date of loss) falls between the last two Guadalcanal deployments, the plane either went down prior to November 15, 1943, or was still ferrying people and equipment between Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo on or about December 1 1943, when it is recorded condemned. It is suspected this was a known crash location during the war, because it is not listed as an MIA Case in the US Army CILHI records.

Discovery
Rediscovered around 1997, this plane crashed into a ridge 1,500 feet above Cape Esperence. Since then, the wreckage has been scattered due to the impact and landsides. The US star was visible, and serial "240646" on the tail. This wreck was intitally described as a B-17, but further research by historian Michael Claringbould correctly identified it as a B-24. Jeff Johnson visited the site in 1997 and reports: "While I was at the Vila War Museum, the curator, told of us a B-17 that had recently been found. He offered to take us there for $50. As it was a long hike, we set out early the next morning. We started on a grassy plain and started up a jungle trail alongside a small stream at the base of the ridge.
The first thing we saw was a crumpled supercharger from one of the engines about 2500 feet away from the main crash site. It appeared that the rains had flushed a number of parts down the ridge and some pieces had been thrown clear on the initial impact. As we hiked up a 50 to 70 degree incline for the next hour, we saw various pieces of fuselage. We then ran across one of the landing gear.
We finally reached the site and saw a large piece of fuselage, the waist section, pointed straight down into the ground. There was numerous live .50 cal rounds scattered about. You could still make out the American star on the port side. A little further away was a number of bent propeller blades and the tail section. On this tail section in yellow letters about 5 inches high was the number "240640".
After rummaging around, we found a single .50 cal machine gun in a very rusted state without the barrel. Sections of wing and the elevators were also about. It was a great experience and the highlight of my sail across the South Pacific."

Recovery of Machine Gun
During the 2003 RAMSI operation in Solomon Islands, Australian soldiers visited the site. They recovered one 50 caliber machine gun, that was later donated to the Solomon Islands Museum.

References
Thanks to Jeff Johnson, who visited the site in 1997, and took photos and video at the site. Mission history via Sam S. Britt Jr.'s, The Long Rangers, A Diary of the 307th Bombardment Group (H)

(http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:Ra5Ote0eQAkJ:www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-24/42-40646.html+%22thomas+l+mcconnell%22&hl=en&lr=lang_en.)

Citations

[S9288] Newspaper Article - The Wichita Eagle
[S7581] Genealogy prepared by Wayne Lucore (email address)

Family Explorer

Mary Louise Klein¹

F, #25409

Pedigree Link

Family: Fred Nando McConnell, Jr., (b. 23 April 1918, d. 21 October 1945)

Daughter	Connie Lou McConnell
Son	Thomas McConnell

BASIC FACTS

Mary Louise Klein and Fred Nando McConnell, Jr., were married on 12 July 1942 in California.¹

Citations

[S9288] Newspaper Article - The Wichita Eagle

Family Explorer

Yvonne Bell

F, #25410

Pedigree Link

Family Explorer

Sadie Unknown¹

F, #25411

Pedigree Link

Family: Henry Greeley

Son	Andrew "Andy" Greeley+ (b. 23 March 1888, d. 19 May 1967)
Daughter	Olive Margaret Greeley+ (b. 18 April 1896, d. February 1941)

BASIC FACTS

Sadie Unknown had reference number 25688.

Citations

[S6366] Genealogy prepared by Joyce Nettie ( Wright) Thomas

Family Explorer

Albert Powell

M, #25412

Pedigree Link

Family: Ethel Jolly

Son	Winten Ray "Ray" Powell+ (b. 16 April 1915, d. 2 September 2002)

BASIC FACTS

Albert Powell had reference number 25689.

Family Explorer

Ethel Jolly

F, #25413

Pedigree Link

Family: Albert Powell

Son	Winten Ray "Ray" Powell+ (b. 16 April 1915, d. 2 September 2002)

BASIC FACTS

Ethel Jolly had reference number 25690.

Family Explorer

Isreal Unknown

M, #25414

Pedigree Link

Family Explorer

Kyra Unknown

F, #25415

Pedigree Link

Family Explorer

Jane Hager Anderson^1,2

F, #25416

Parents

Father	James Emmett Anderson (b. 13 May 1900, d. 29 October 1988)
Mother	Eva Jane Hager (b. 3 October 1902, d. 17 July 1991)

Pedigree Link

Family: Mathias Max "Max" Wihlidal, Jr., (b. 21 September 1921)

Son	Robert Max Wihlidal+
Daughter	Nancy Anne Wihlidal+
Daughter	Eva Rae Wihlidal+

BASIC FACTS

Jane Hager Anderson and Mathias Max "Max" Wihlidal, Jr., were married on 8 April 1944 in Visalia Tulare Co., California.³ She and Mathias Max "Max" Wihlidal, Jr., were divorced in 1964.³ She and Henry Nelson were married on 18 July 1964 in Visalia Tulare Co., California.³

Citations

[S1569] 1930 Census, California, Tulare County
[S4518] Email from Eva (Wihlidal) Riddle dated December 2, 2005, Source Medium: Book
[S4520] Email from Eva (Wihlidal) Riddle dated December 4, 2005, Source Medium: Book

Family Explorer

Bonnie Lois Anderson^1,2

F, #25417

Parents

Father	James Emmett Anderson (b. 13 May 1900, d. 29 October 1988)
Mother	Eva Jane Hager (b. 3 October 1902, d. 17 July 1991)

Pedigree Link

Family: Daryl Stokes

Daughter	Judith Darylene Stokes
Daughter	Peggy Jane Stokes
Daughter	Joyce Inex Stokes
Daughter	Alice Diane Stokes
Son	Michael Daryl Stokes
Son	Thomas Stokley Stokes

BASIC FACTS

Bonnie Lois Anderson and Daryl Stokes were married on 22 May 1943.³

Citations

[S1569] 1930 Census, California, Tulare County
[S4519] Email from Eva (Wihlidal) Riddle dated December 2, 2005 (email #2), Source Medium: Book
[S4517] Email from Eva (Nelson) Riddle dated December 4, 2005

Family Explorer

James Emmett Anderson, Jr.^1,2

M, #25418, b. 3 September 1927, d. 6 July 2001

Parents

Father	James Emmett Anderson (b. 13 May 1900, d. 29 October 1988)
Mother	Eva Jane Hager (b. 3 October 1902, d. 17 July 1991)

Pedigree Link

Family: Eva Dolores Young (b. 18 April 1928, d. 30 June 1967)

Son	James Emmett Anderson, III
Son	John Christopher Anderson

BASIC FACTS

James Emmett Anderson, Jr., was born on 3 September 1927 in Exeter, Tulare Co., California.^1,2 He and Eva Dolores Young were married on 28 October 1947 in Visalia Tulare Co., California.³ He died on 6 July 2001, at age 73.² He was buried in Exeter Cemetery, Exeter, Tulare Co., California.²

James Emmett Anderson, Jr., had reference number 25695. He was enumerated on the census in California, Tulare County, Exeter (1930.) His Social Security Number was 564-20-7166, issued: California, last residence: Madera, Madera Co., California.⁴

Citations

[S1569] 1930 Census, California, Tulare County
[S4519] Email from Eva (Wihlidal) Riddle dated December 2, 2005 (email #2), Source Medium: Book
[S4517] Email from Eva (Nelson) Riddle dated December 4, 2005
[S12398] Social Security Death Index, Source Medium: Book

Family Explorer

Tanya Flora Peachy¹

F, #25419

Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Tanya Flora Peachy and Rick William Thomas were married on 19 December 2003.¹

Citations

[S6366] Genealogy prepared by Joyce Nettie ( Wright) Thomas

Family Explorer

Robert Laveque¹

M, #25420

Pedigree Link

Family: Carla Honkala

Son	Kristopher Laveque
Daughter	Tabitha Laveque
Daughter	Angelique Laveque

Citations

[S6366] Genealogy prepared by Joyce Nettie ( Wright) Thomas

Family Explorer

Katie Gardner¹

F, #25421

Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Katie Gardner and Eric Honkala were married on 12 August 1999.¹

Citations

[S6366] Genealogy prepared by Joyce Nettie ( Wright) Thomas

Family Explorer

Don Cross¹

M, #25422

Pedigree Link

Family: Raylene Unger

Son	Kalob Cross
Son	Alexa Cross

BASIC FACTS

Don Cross and Raylene Unger were married in June 1996.¹

Citations

[S6366] Genealogy prepared by Joyce Nettie ( Wright) Thomas

Family Explorer

Henry Nelson¹

M, #25423, b. 23 May 1918

Pedigree Link

BASIC FACTS

Henry Nelson was born on 23 May 1918.² He and Jane Hager Anderson were married on 18 July 1964 in Visalia Tulare Co., California.²

Henry Nelson had reference number 25700.

Citations

[S11027] Obituary - Lois Inez (Anderson) Watson
[S4520] Email from Eva (Wihlidal) Riddle dated December 4, 2005, Source Medium: Book

Family Explorer

Daryl Stokes^1,2

M, #25424

Pedigree Link

Family: Bonnie Lois Anderson

Daughter	Judith Darylene Stokes
Daughter	Peggy Jane Stokes
Daughter	Joyce Inex Stokes
Daughter	Alice Diane Stokes
Son	Michael Daryl Stokes
Son	Thomas Stokley Stokes

BASIC FACTS

Daryl Stokes and Bonnie Lois Anderson were married on 22 May 1943.²

Citations

[S11027] Obituary - Lois Inez (Anderson) Watson
[S4517] Email from Eva (Nelson) Riddle dated December 4, 2005

Family Explorer

Martin Sheaffer^1,2

M, #25425

Pedigree Link

Family: Leah Shirk

Daughter

Leah Sheaffer+ (b. 14 March 1861, d. 8 February 1947)

BASIC FACTS

Martin Sheaffer had reference number 25702.

Citations

[S3973] Death Records - California, California Death Index (RootsWeb)
[S6627] Genealogy prepared by Lmeyer62 (Ancestry.com)