Finnegan's plane “was shot down in New Guinea and they never found the body, because there were a lot of cannibals in that part of New Guinea,” Biden said in Pittsburgh. Eventually, the president would repeat the story to reporters, but the White House and official archives indicated that, as with many family legends, the facts did not match the president's account.
The US Defense Accounting Agency reported that Ambrose Finningham's plane was bound for New Guinea on a mail transport flight and was “forced to land in the ocean” off the island's coast “for unknown reasons.”
The agency said that the plane crashed into the water and three crew members were unable to exit the plane, while one of them survived and was rescued by a passing boat. He added that the search conducted the next day found no trace of the missing plane or its crew.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that Ambrose Finnegan “lost his life when the military plane he was traveling in crashed in the Pacific Ocean after taking off near New Guinea.” The spokeswoman also defended Biden, saying the president was “incredibly emotional” when he honored his uncle.
Biden “highlighted his uncle's story” to show his support for veterans and show contrast with his Republican election opponent Donald Trump.
