Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1944 Lucky Bag:

Paul Carlton McNiel, Jr.

Pete is the pride of our academic system. His uncanny ability to make a good 2.6 average has kept him with us for these three years. He has done a fine job as business manager of Reef Points and as a ketch captain. A true son of Maryland, it was rumored that it was he who formulated the answer to “How cold is it in Maryland?” one morning as he sat shivering on a radiator, with only a sweat suit, two blankets, and a bathrobe to keep him warm. His ambition is to be a good officer and a likable shipmate. With his personality he’ll get along well.

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The Class of 1944 was graduated in June 1943 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

Paul was lost when his F4U-4 Corsair crashed near Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on March 3, 1947, while operating from USS Valley Forge (CV 45).

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Born in Orlando, Florida, Paul graduated in 1938 from Valley Forge Military School, Wayne, Pennsylvania. He attended Cochran-Bryan Prep school in Annapolis.

From the Baltimore Sun on September 14, 1947:

… had served on the battleship Iowa.

Following the invasion of Peleliu, he was transferred to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he received his wings in 1945.

Lieutenant McNiel, son of the late Paul C. McNeil, of Baltimore, is survived by his wife, Mrs. Carmen Dunn McNeil, of Dallas, Texas, his mother, Mrs. Charlotte Evans McNeil, of Monkton, and a sister, Miss McNeil, of Baltimore.

Paul’s Find A Grave page is here.