Roy J. McKinney flew 83 WWII missions
Published 8:21 am Monday, June 26, 2023
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Roy J. McKinney was one of the most decorated Carter County soldiers to serve in World War II.
McKinney, who served for a number of years as County Court Clerk, was the recipient of the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with 12 clusters, the Purple Heart with two clusters, and the Distinguished Unit Citation.
McKinney, discharged as a technical sergeant, served five years in the U.S. Air Force. He became one of the most decorated fliers in the famous 391st “Black Death” marauder group, which pounded tactical targets from bases in England and France. He piled up a total of 1,700 combat hours amassed during 83 missions on which he served as bombardier-navigator and gunner.
He was credited with the sinking of two German submarines – precision bombing plus – in early 1942 when he was putting in two years with an Anti-Submarine patrol before going to England.
McKinney was wounded three times – on his first combat mission in February 1942, again June 8, 1944, and the final time a month later on a mission over Paris – and was shot down four times. He survived two crew, members of which were killed while flying with him during the 28 months of air battle amounting to two hours of combat battle.
McKinney, the only man in Tennessee and the only man in the air forces to receive the Flying Medal from the British Embassy, received the medal in Washington, D.C. for his “determination and courage” when as a bombardier, he was wounded in action, but remained on the job, and released his bombs accurately destroying Maison La Fite Railroad Bridge.
A bridge on the Mary Patton Highway in Elizabethton is named for McKinney.
