William J. Meehan papers

Collection

Identifier: BC-2014-002

Staff Only

Dates

Creation: 1939 - 1946

Scope and Contents

Papers documenting the life and military career of Lieutenant, Junior Grade, William J. Meehan, a 1939 graduate of Boston College. Meehan was a Navy pilot who died in the Pacific in WWII. His papers include correspondence, photographs, portraits, certificates, a flight log book, and a Purple Heart medal.

Creator

Meehan, William J. (Person)

Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research.

Restrictions on use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Biographical note

William J. Meehan (1916-1944) was a native of Chelsea, Massachusetts, and graduated from Boston College in 1939. The description accompanying his senior portrait in the Sub Turri calls him “undoubtedly the best looking Senior and unanimously the best dancer.” It also informs the reader that Meehan’s “keen interest in the problems of others has led [him] to concentrate on a social service course.” Meehan earned an A.B. in 1939 and became a teacher. After enlisting in the U.S. Navy, Meehan became an aviator, Lieutenant JG, in Torpedo Squadron 5. At the time of his death, he was serving on the USS Yorktown which was participating in Operation Flintlock – the invasion of the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific. He was listed as missing in action on January 29, 1944 following a bombing mission.

Sources

Boston College. Sub Turri, 1939. http://archive.org/details/subturriundertow1939bost

William J. Meehan papers, BC.2014.002, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Extent

1.75 Linear Feet (2 containers )

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The papers of William J. Meehan, Boston College Class of 1939, document his career as an aviator in the Navy during World War II, and his death in action in 1944.