Wade Hampton McLain Jr. was born 18 December 1917, Erwin, Tennessee, the son of Wade Hampton McLain and Annie Jeannette Franklin. The brother of Lavada McLain. Pvt. McLain enlisted in the army in November, 1940, and was assigned to the Air Corps as radio operator. His father died in 1920 and his mother in 1933. He was a graduate of Unicoi High School and the Johnson City Business College. He Died non Battle 30 December 1941 in Belleville, St. Clair, Illinois. He was instantly killed when the truck in which he was returning to Scott Field with three other soldiers turned over, crushing him to death.
The Johnson City Chronicle, Thursday 1 January 1942
Word was received here today of the death of Wade H. McLain, 24-year-old air corps radio technician stationed at Scott Field, Ill., in an automobile crash early Tuesday morning. The youth had made his home with an aunt, Mrs. Ernie Stallard of 329 Catauba street here before joining the service. Details of the accident which caused his death are unknown here, but he was believed killed while returning to the field from Belleville, Ill., with three other service men. The body will be sent tot Erwin tomorrow for burial. Funeral arrangements have not been made. McLain is survived by one sister, Mrs. Charlie Bogart, and a grandfather, Aaron D. Franklin, both of Erwin.
- Rank: Private
- Date of birth: 18 December 1917
- Date of death: 30 December 1941
- County: Unicoi
- Hometown: Erwin
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: Air Corps
- Conflict: World War II
- Burial/Memorial Location: Jobe Cemetery, Erwin, Unicoi County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIX, Top Panel
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