President Joe Biden recounted an unusual version of his uncle’s World War II fate in a recent emotional speech.
On Wednesday morning, April 17, 2024, President Biden suggested during a visit to a war memorial in Scranton, PA, that his uncle, Ambrose Finnegan, might have been consumed by cannibals after his plane was shot down in New Guinea during World War II. He mentioned that the government later found parts of the plane but not his uncle’s body.
Later that day, in Pittsburgh, he reiterated that Finnegan’s body was never found and linked the area’s historical cannibalism to his disappearance. This characterization was met with disapproval from some in Papua New Guinea, highlighting the sensitivity of historical practices to residents.
This remark led to confusion and criticism, prompting the White House to clarify that there was no evidence to support this claim. According to Pentagon records, Finnegan was involved in a plane crash due to engine failure over the Pacific, not enemy action or cannibalism.
In her briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the personal story of President Biden’s uncle’s wartime death to underscore Biden’s commitment to military respect. She contrasted this with allegations that former President Trump had derogatorily labeled U.S. service members. These allegations, which Trump strongly denied, claimed he referred to fallen soldiers as “suckers” and “losers” during a planned 2018 visit to a French military cemetery. Trump, defended by Mike Pompeo and Sarah Sanders at the time—who both stated they were with him during the incident—labeled the reports false attacks.
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape responded to President Biden’s comments, suggesting they might have been a careless mistake but emphasizing that such labels are undeserved for his country. Marape also called on the U.S. to assist in resolving the historical issues related to WWII to clarify the fate of missing servicemen like Ambrose Finnegan.
Maholopa Laveil, an economics lecturer at the University of Papua New Guinea, expressed concerns about President Biden’s recent remarks. Laveil criticized the comments as unhelpful and detrimental, emphasizing that they cast Papua New Guinea in a negative light amidst existing challenges like riots and tribal conflicts. He noted that these unsubstantiated claims were especially inappropriate given the recent diplomatic engagements and cooperative projects between the U.S. and Papua New Guinea. Laveil strongly suggested that such remarks should not be made, particularly in light of the strategic partnerships developing in the Pacific region.
Not everyone was offended by Biden’s statement. Allan Bird, the governor of East Sepik in Papua New Guinea, near where the crash occurred, reacted with humor, attributing them to tales possibly heard in Biden’s youth.
Officially, the Pentagon’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency reports contradict Biden’s version, stating that his uncle’s plane crashed into the ocean due to mechanical failure, not enemy action, and all but one crew member perished.
