During a recent trip to a war memorial in Pennsylvania, President Joe Biden paid tribute to his uncle, Ambrose Finnegan, who served in World War II. He shared a personal story about his uncle’s experiences and the sacrifices he made for the country. While President Biden remembered his uncle as being eaten by cannibals after his plane was shot down over New Guinea, the official account by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency tells a different story. According to their report, the plane crashed off the north coast of New Guinea due to engine failure and no trace of the missing aircraft or its crew members was ever found. Second Lieutenant Ambrose J. Finnegan remains unaccounted-for and is honored on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates told CNN that President Biden is proud of his uncle’s service and used his story to emphasize the importance of honoring and supporting veterans. Bates highlighted that President Biden spoke about the commitment to equip and take care of those who serve in war, stressing that American veterans are not “suckers” or “losers.” President Biden used his uncle’s story as an example while advocating for supporting and caring for veterans and their families.