Lt. McConnell's aircraft, a B-24, was on a mission from midway to Wake Island when they were attacked by Japanese Zeros. One of the Zeros lost control and hit the B-24 in the tail tearing off the left rudder and elevator. The B-24D Buno # 42-40676 crashed into the ocean, none of the 11 crew members survived. Tracers from the waist gun were seen until the plane hit the water and exploded. Missing Air Crew Report 314.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56124839 1940 Yearbook (pg 41, 289). 1939 yearbook (pgs 231, 397, 398)
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/90890949 (Missing Air Crew Report 314)
https://www.oregondigital.org/catalog/oregondigital:fx71bn170#page/10/mo...(pg 8)
https://www.oregondigital.org/catalog/oregondigital:fx71b965k#page/5/mod... (pg5)