Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1949 Lucky Bag:

John C. McCoy

J.C. (or Jack, Mac, or Johnnie—he answers to them all) came to Crabtown straight from V-12 at the University of Southern Idaho. Just a little guy when he came here, the pride of Palouse gained fifty pounds during the first two years on the steady hours and good chow, making himself a hard-hitting fullback for the batt football team. Though he worked hard at sports, Jack was never a great athlete, but when he played a game, he played for keeps and to win. Johnnie expects to make the Navy a career, with line duty his preference. Long a strong supporter of the Navy, he has shown this by his avid interest in anything to do with the service. Quiet and efficient, Jack gets along very easily with his fellows and will doubtless make an excellent shipmate.

Loss

John was lost on June 25, 1959 when the F8U-1 Crusader he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida. He was a member of Fighter Squadron (VF) 32, operating from USS Saratoga (CVA 60).

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

John was a member of Sigma Chi at the University of Idaho in 1943. He was appointed to the Naval Academy by Washington Congressman Hal Holmes.

His father was Dale Edwin, a creamery operator, mother Katherine, sisters Marian and Kay, and brother Richard. Kay and Richard were twins. Kay was chosen to be a delegate to the United Nations youth pilgrimage in 1953.

He was also survived by his wife, Velma F. Long, to whom he was married in 1949 at Annapolis. John is buried in Washington.

Photographs

From The Spokesman Review on February 3, 1952

Distinguished Flying Cross

From Hall of Valor:

(Citation Needed) SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade John C. McCoy, United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN (VF-111), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 19 July 1953.

General Orders: All Hands (August 1954)
Action Date: July 19, 1953
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Company: Fighter Squadron 111 (VF-111)