local
Downed by lightning eight decades ago, a US airman is finally coming home
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 1, 2026
· 8 min read
By Brad Lendon, Kocha Olarn, CNN
(CNN) — More than 80 years after he took off from an airfield in China, a US Army Air Force pilot is going home.
The route back to the United States for 1st Lt. Franklin McKinney has been long and paved by the term paper of a US Air Force Academy cadet; the fr...
Key takeaway The route back to the United States for 1st Lt.
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Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Brad Lendon, Kocha Olarn, CNN
(CNN) — More than 80 years after he took off from an airfield in China, a US Army Air Force pilot is going home.
The route back to the United States for 1st Lt. Franklin McKinney has been long and paved by the term paper of a US Air Force Academy cadet; the fr...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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