Briefing Document: Con Foly Poynor

Date: October 26, 2023 Subject: Biographical Summary of Con Foly Poynor, US Air Force KIA in Korean War

1. Overview

This document summarizes the life and military service of Con Foly Poynor, born July 17, 1918 in Comanche County, Texas. It traces his life from his early years in Texas through his education, military service during World War II and the Korean War, and ultimately his death in action over North Korea. The document focuses on key life events and military engagements, particularly highlighting the circumstances of his death.

2. Early Life and Education

Birth and Family: Con Foly Poynor was born on July 17, 1918, in Comanche County, Texas to Pearl Zella Malear (b. 1880) and Murry Middleton Poynor (b. 1878). His parents were 38 and 40 years old, respectively, at his birth.

Early Residence: In 1930, at the age of 11, he was living with his parents, a brother, and grandfather Andrew Malear in Eastland County, Texas.

Education: He graduated from Ranger High School in 1934. By 1940, he was a college student, living with his mother in Eastland County.

University of Texas: He was a student at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas in 1941, where he met his future wife, Helen Mae Keating. He also registered for the draft while living in Austin.

3. Military Service

Draft Registration: Poynor registered for the draft on February 5, 1941, in Austin, Texas, while a student at the University of Texas. He listed his mother as his next of kin, residing in Ranger, Texas.

Enlistment: He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet on December 10, 1941, in Houston, Texas. At the time he was 23 years old with 3 years of college education. He was already in the enlisted reserve.

"Con F. Poynor asn-18031448 a single white male born Texas in 1918 residing in Eastland County, Texas being a student with three years of college education enlisted from enlisted reserve corps into the US Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet at Houston, Texas on 10 December 1941."

World War II: Poynor trained as a bombardier and flew 31 missions in Europe during World War II.

Post-War: After being released from active duty, he became an Air Force reservist and worked as an insurance agent in Ranger, Texas.

Korean War Recall: He was recalled to active duty for the Korean War in March 1951 and was deployed to Okinawa in September 1951.

Assignment: First Lieutenant Con F. Poynor O-725476 US Air Force was assigned to the 371st Bombardment Squadron, 307th Bombardment Wing.

Final Mission:Poynor was the bombardier on a B-29A bomber (s/n 42-94045) on a combat mission to Namsi Airfield, North Korea on October 23, 1951.

His pilot was Captain Robert M. Krumm.

This mission was part of what was called "Black Tuesday" where six of the nine B-29 bombers in the formation were lost to Russian MiG-15 fighter jets.

"It turned out to be a Black Tuesday↗, because 6 of the 9 B-29 bombers in the formation were lost to Russian MiG15s."

4. Death and Remembrance

Missing in Action: Poynor was initially declared missing in action on October 23, 1951.

"1Lt Poynor was status as missing in action on 23 October 1951."

Killed in Action: His status was changed to Killed in Action (KIA) in 1954 after his remains were not recovered.

Remembrance:He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Cenotaphs (empty graves as memorial) have been erected at Arlington National Cemetery, the National Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the Colony Cemetery at Morton Valley, Texas.

5. Family Life

Marriage: Con married Miss Helen Mae Keating of Longview, Texas. They met while students at U.T. in Austin.

Son: They had a son born in 1944.

6. Key Themes and Ideas

Service and Sacrifice: The document highlights Con Foly Poynor’s commitment to military service and the ultimate sacrifice he made in the Korean War.

Impact of War: The narrative demonstrates the impact of both World War II and the Korean War on individuals, families and communities.

Historical Context: The text reflects the historical context of the mid-20th century, including major conflicts and the life transitions experienced by those involved. It shows a person's progression from student to soldier in a very short period during major world events.

Unresolved Loss: The fact that Poynor's remains were never recovered underscores the lasting grief and uncertainty experienced by families of missing soldiers.

"Black Tuesday": The "Black Tuesday" event is significant as it highlights the vulnerability of B-29 bombers to advanced Russian-made MiG-15 fighter jets, showing the dynamic shift in air combat during the Korean War.

Legacy: The document emphasizes the importance of remembrance and how the individual stories of these people are preserved by physical memorials as well as by personal narratives.

7. Conclusion

Con Foly Poynor’s life story provides a glimpse into the experiences of American service members during a turbulent period in history. His progression from student to soldier, and his tragic loss in combat, serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict. His life story is a testimony to a generation and era.