John McClure (pilot)

John William McClure (December 7, 1919 - March 5, 1953) was a U.S. Army Air Force/U.S. Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails". He was one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.
McClure was notable as one of the United States military's first African American combat fighter pilots. On August 5, 1942, McClure graduated from the Tuskegee Advanced Pilot Cadet program as a member of the fifth-ever Cadet Class Single Engine Section SE-42-G.
Early life
McClure was born on December 7, 1919, in Princeton, Indiana, Gibson County.
McClure was married to Daisy Davidson, a school teacher and a member of well-known African American family in Kokomo, Indiana. Daisy's sister, Winifred Davidson, married John O. Cunningham, a Muncie, Indiana native and graduate of Tuskegee's Liaison Pilot Cadet Section - CL-43-2 - October 22, 1943. He was one of the first thirty-four African American combat fighter pilots.<ref name="CAF2"/>
During his assignment at Tuskegee, McClure crashed his P-40, incurring serious injuries, nullified a combat career. It is believed that McClure was the first of the 332nd Fighter Group pilots to survive a P-40 crash.<ref name=Cunningham/>
After World War II, McClure transferred to Columbus, Ohio with the 99th Fighter Squadron.<ref name=Cunningham/>
Death
McClure agreed to get surgery to address a minor issue that had continued to affect him post-crash. During the surgical procedure, McClure went into shock and never recovered.
McClure died on March 5, 1953, in Kokomo, Indiana. He was only 33 year old.<ref name=Cunningham/>
McClure was interred in Crown Point Cemetery in Kokomo, Indiana, PLOT Sec: 21, Lot: 108, Sp: 4.

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