The Defense Prisoner of War and MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced on Wednesday that they have determined the location of a pilot who went missing during a World War II spy mission.
Officials identified the pilot as Lt. Franklin H. McKinney, a 21-year-old from Rhode Island serving in the U.S. Army Air Force. He was part of the 35th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron (PRS), 14th Air Force, and passed away on May 15, 2026.
McKinney was last seen leaving Yunnan Yi, China, on a reconnaissance mission intended to gather intelligence on targets in Thailand and Burma. Reports indicate he did not return after his flight.
The U.S. Air Force noted that McKinney’s squadron was involved in critical air espionage missions, penetrating deep into territories controlled by the Japanese—aiming to collect vital intelligence during the war.
On November 5, 1944, he piloted an F-5 Lightning aircraft on this mission. Unfortunately, communication was lost shortly after he took off, and no signs of a crash were detected, despite thorough searches conducted along the flight path leading towards the China-Thailand border. His remains were considered missing for decades.
However, around the same time, local authorities in Thailand reported finding aircraft wreckage in a forested area, which may have been struck by lightning. The DPAA cited a wartime account indicating that the plane exploded before crashing near Bangme Kua in Lampang province.
In 2018, independent researchers pinpointed a crash site in a rice field, associating it with McKinney’s aircraft. Investigations ensued, and in 2022, a recovery team excavated the area and found potential human remains. Those remains were sent to a laboratory, where advanced forensic techniques confirmed they belonged to McKinney.
Officials plan to inform McKinney’s family about the ongoing findings related to his case. His name will also be added to the Missing Persons Monument at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines, ensuring he is honored for his service.
