James B. McGovern Jr. | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | "Earthquake McGoon" |
Born | Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States | February 4, 1922
Died | May 6, 1954 Northern Laos | (aged 32)
Buried | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service | United States Army Air Forces |
Years of service | 1942–1954 |
Rank | Captain |
Battles / wars | World War II First Indochina War |
Awards | Purple Heart Knight of the Legion of Honour (France) |
James Bernard McGovern Jr. (February 4, 1922 – May 6, 1954)[1] was a World War II fighter pilot and later an aviator with the Central Intelligence Agency. He and co-pilot Wallace Buford were the only Americans to die in combat in the First Indochina War. At the time, they were officially employees of Civil Air Transport.