Marker pays tribute to Carthage man who flew for France
North Carolina's newest historical marker will be dedicated to an American flyer who died in service to France during World War I.
Posted — UpdatedThe service to honor James McConnell was held Monday afternoon on McReynolds Street, across from the Carthage Community House.
McConnell was living in Carthage when he enlisted in the French military service in October 1915. He was part of an elite squadron of 38 American pilots to serve before the U.S. entered the war
He was killed in aerial combat against two German airplanes over the Somme on March 19, 1917 – about three weeks before the U.S. entered the war.
The French presented the town of Carthage a plaque that's displayed on the community building grounds, and an obelisk dedicated to McConnell stands at the Moore County Courthouse.
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