West Islip WWII Vet Honored For Military Service

Local legislators and lawmakers gathered this past week to honor a 49-year West Islip resident, S/Sgt Frank McLoughlin, 91, for his dedication and military service accomplishments.

The WWII veteran served with the US Army Corps as an engineer/turret operator on the B24.

He was honored for one of the missions he flew in 1944 that took place from New Guinea to Samar, Philippines, which was occupied by the Japanese:

Thirty six US B 24s took off on this mission but 30 planes turned back due to severe weather conditions. The six remaining B24s continued on, including McLoughlin’s. The operation was completed. McLoughlin took down two Japanese attack planes. All six B24s returned to the base, low on fuel and with their landing gear in jeopardy.

McLoughlin flew over 50 missions in the South Pacific.