Our reporting on local veterans is a collaboration with RyeVets.org to highlight those from Rye who have served our country across times of war and peace. There are over 2,100 veterans from the City of Rye. Learn more about how you can help research and write biographies of those that have served.
John F. Shaughnessy was born on June 16, 1932, to John F. Shaughnessy Sr. of Rye, New York and Nora Cronin Shaughnessy of County Cork, Ireland. “Jack” – as he was known to his family and friends – was the oldest of six children.
Date of Birth: June 16th, 1932
Died On: February 3rd, 1963 (age 30)
Street Address: 39 Grandview Avenue
Branch of Service: U.S. Air Force
The family lived at 39 Grandview Avenue. Shaughnessy and his siblings all attended Resurrection Grammar School and were active members of the Church of the Resurrection Parish.
Shaughnessy went on to attend Rye High School, where he starred at left tackle on the football team. He later played football at Colgate, graduating in 1954.
Following graduation, Shaughnessy enlisted with the Air Force in Houston, TX, marrying Sandra Laverne Dodson soon after. He was sent to Vietnam in December of 1962 as a career air force pilot and captain.
Captain Shaughnessy’s plane was tragically shot down on February 3, 1963, while strafing Communist sampans along a canal. The incident brought the total number of American servicemen killed in Vietnam to 57. Jack Shaughnessy was just 30 years old and survived by both his parents, his wife, and two daughters.
A memorial Flagpole was dedicated to the memory of John F. Shaughnessy in Recreation Park Rye, NY. More on Shaughnessy.
