In a recent speech, President Joe Biden shared a peculiar account of his uncle Ambrose Finnegan’s World War II experiences, sparking international controversy.
On April 17, 2024, President Biden implied during a visit to a war memorial in Scranton, Pennsylvania, that his uncle might have been eaten by cannibals after his plane was downed in New Guinea during World War II. He noted that while parts of the plane were recovered, his uncle’s body was not.
Biden later restated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that his uncle’s body was never found, and suggested that historical cannibalism in the area might have been a factor. This suggestion was met with disapproval from some Papua New Guinea residents, indicating sensitivity towards historical practices.
These comments led to confusion and criticism, leading the White House to clarify that there was no concrete evidence to back this claim. Pentagon records show that Finnegan was involved in a plane crash due to mechanical failure over the Pacific, not enemy action or cannibalism.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre highlighted President Biden’s personal connection to his uncle’s wartime death to emphasize his respect for the military. She compared this to allegations that former President Trump had derogatorily labeled U.S. service members. Trump had vehemently denied allegations that he referred to fallen soldiers as “suckers” and “losers” during a planned visit to a French military cemetery in 2018. Both Mike Pompeo and Sarah Sanders defended Trump against these allegations, labeling them as false attacks.
Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea responded to President Biden’s comments, suggesting they might have been an inadvertent mistake but stressing that such labels were undeserved for his country. Marape urged the U.S. to assist in resolving World War II-related historical issues to shed light on 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. He criticized the comments as damaging and unhelpful, emphasizing that they negatively portrayed Papua New Guinea amidst existing difficulties like riots and tribal conflicts. He highlighted that such groundless claims were particularly inappropriate given recent diplomatic engagements and collaborative projects between the U.S. and Papua New Guinea.
However, not everyone was offended by Biden’s statement. Allan Bird, Governor of East Sepik in Papua New Guinea located near the crash site, reacted with humor, attributing them to stories possibly heard in Biden’s youth.
The POW/MIA Accounting Agency of the Pentagon officially contradicts Biden’s account, stating that his uncle’s plane crashed into the ocean due to a mechanical failure, not enemy action. All but one crew member were reported to have died in the crash.
