Pair reunite after 70 years to honor top jet ace in Palm Springs

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For the first time in 70 years, singer Roberta Linn, pictured, and Trish McConnell, the eldest daughter of late ace fighter pilot Capt. Joseph McConnell, Jr. will celebrate a reunion in Palm Springs on Saturday.
For the first time in 70 years, singer Roberta Linn, pictured, and Trish McConnell, the eldest daughter of late ace fighter pilot Capt. Joseph McConnell, Jr. will celebrate a reunion in Palm Springs on Saturday.

For the first time in 70 years, two women associated with the late ace fighter pilot Capt. Joseph McConnell, Jr. will celebrate a reunion in Palm Springs on Saturday.

In 1953, Capt. McConnell received a hero’s welcome as he returned stateside from the Korean War and with the distinction of being the highest-scoring jet ace in U.S. history.

After being congratulated at the White House by President Eisenhower, McConnell returned to a homecoming celebration and presentation of a new house in his adopted hometown of Apple Valley.

During a public celebration, Roberta Linn, Lawrence Welk's 5th "Champagne Lady," serenaded Capt. McConnell and his family, which included his eldest daughter, Patricia “Trish” McConnell.

Linn, who lives in Rancho Mirage, and Indio resident Trish McConnell, will reunite for the first time at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 N. Gene Autry Trail.

The event is being hosted by the air museum and Don Holland, former special assistant to San Bernardino County 1st District Supervisor Robert Lovingood, former editor of the Daily Press and military historian.

For the first time in 70 years, singer Roberta Linn, left, and Trish McConnell, the eldest daughter of late ace fighter pilot Capt. Joseph McConnell, Jr. celebrated a reunion in Palm Springs on Saturday.
For the first time in 70 years, singer Roberta Linn, left, and Trish McConnell, the eldest daughter of late ace fighter pilot Capt. Joseph McConnell, Jr. celebrated a reunion in Palm Springs on Saturday.

Roberta Linn

As a child actress, Linn worked in films such as "Little Miss Marker" and the "Our Gang" comedies. She would later become a vocalist and successful performer with many big bands.

Linn served as Welk’s fifth Champagne Lady from 1949 to 1954. She would later become a regular performer with Freddie Bell and the Bellboys.

Linn often appeared in the early 50s at the Aragon Ballroom of Santa Monica and had her Emmy-winning show on KTLA called "Cafe Continental" or "The Gypsy."

In the 50s and 60s, Linn performed at Las Vegas venues, including the Sands Hotel and Casino, the Sahara Hotel, and the Desert Inn. She became friends with Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack.

In 1964 Linn appeared on "The Joey Bishop Show" and in the film "Get Yourself a College Girl," and recorded the album "The Bells Are Swinging" with Bell, who she married in 1961.

Linn's son, Fred Bell, is a partner and chief operating officer of Nobell Energy Solutions and the vice chairman of the Palm Springs Air Museum.

In March 1996, the City of Palm Springs declared "Roberta Linn Day."

Linn also has a star on the Las Vegas Walk of Fame in front of the Paris Hotel and in downtown Palm Springs.

For the first time in 70 years, singer Roberta Linn, left, and Trish McConnell, the eldest daughter of late ace fighter pilot Capt. Joseph McConnell, Jr. will celebrate a reunion in Palm Springs on Saturday.
For the first time in 70 years, singer Roberta Linn, left, and Trish McConnell, the eldest daughter of late ace fighter pilot Capt. Joseph McConnell, Jr. will celebrate a reunion in Palm Springs on Saturday.

Ace of aces

Capt. McConnell remains one of the most accomplished American fighter pilots thanks to his Korean War exploits that made him the first triple jet ace in U.S. history.

A native of Dover, New Hampshire, McConnell was credited with shooting down 16 Soviet-built MiG-15 fighter jets between January and May 1953 to become the "ace of aces."

In one air battle, McConnell's F-86 Sabre was badly damaged by an enemy MiG-15. McConnell pulled a barrel roll and dropped in behind the MiG and opened fire — shooting down the same jet that had just shot up his F-86 a moment earlier. Both pilots ejected and survived.

On McConnell's last day in combat, he and his wingman, Lt. Dean Abbott, were outnumbered 28-to-2. They attacked a flight of 28 enemy MiG-15s.

During the air battle, McConnell shot down two MiGs before he and Abbott ran low on fuel and returned safely to South Korea.

His bravery in the face of overwhelming enemy forces earned McConnell the Distinguished Service Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor.

After returning to the U.S., McConnell was stationed at George AFB, where he continued to fly F-86s. In 1954, he was temporarily assigned to the service testing program of the newest F-86.

In a 1953 photo, Air Force Capt. Joseph McConnell, Jr., his wife, Pearl, and their children move into their new Apple Valley home, which was built for them by the town’s residents.
In a 1953 photo, Air Force Capt. Joseph McConnell, Jr., his wife, Pearl, and their children move into their new Apple Valley home, which was built for them by the town’s residents.

A national hero, McConnell embarked on a cross-country tour. He appeared on radio and TV shows and met many Hollywood celebrities.

On Aug. 25, 1954, McConnell died in a crash while testing an F-86H at Edwards Air Force Base. He is buried near his wife, Pearl "Butch" McConnell, at Victor Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary in Victorville.

In 1955, Warner Bros. released "The McConnell Story," starring Alan Ladd, June Allyson and James Whitmore.

In honor of this year's 75th anniversary of the founding of the Air Force, the Air Force Historical Foundation has published the book, "75 Great Airmen," which includes a profile of Capt. McConnell and his portrait on the cover.

Appreciation House and sign

In 1953, Victor Valley residents raised money to construct a three-bedroom home for the McConnell family on the north side of Highway 18, across from Lions Park in Apple Valley.

During a celebration to honor McConnell’s return in June of that year, Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce President Zeke Cornia presented McConnell with the key to the town and plans for a new 1,280-square-foot house.

As part of the celebration, a mile-long parade of vehicles followed the McConnells as they were escorted through the town and into Victorville.

The parade stretched back to the Apple Valley Inn, where the McConnells — including their children Kathleen, Joseph, and Patricia Anne — posed for photos.

Construction of McConnell’s "Appreciation House" became a major community event that drew news coverage locally and from Los Angeles TV, radio, and newspaper outlets, Holland said.

“The construction project began Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1954, and was to be completed in 5 days, by the following Sunday, to set a world record,” Holland said.

“There was a billboard along Highway 18 directing visitors and reporters to the construction site, almost directly across Highway 18 from Lions Park. The original house was 1,280 square feet, although I believe it was later enlarged.”

The Apple Valley Lions Club served as a point of contact for collecting public donations to build the home. The fundraising goal was $5,000, with residents donating as little as $1 and up to $300.

The McConnells moved into their home, which was built in 45 hours for $16,000, the San Bernardino Sun reported.

"Apple Valley was a wonderful place to live," Trish McConnell told the Daily Press on Monday. "My friends and I would ride horses and climb the mountains of the upper desert."

After McConnell's death, his wife and the children lived in the house for a while before moving.

"After my dad died, it was hard for my mom living in the house built for my dad and mom by the people people of the community," Trish McConnell said.

Pearl McConnell eventually moved to the Palm Desert area, where she lived until she died in 2008.

The McConnell house was remodeled over the last few years.

A book and road sign

In 2021, Holland installed a sign that pays tribute to McConnell on the south side of Highway 18, just past Mojave Narrows, on property owned by the Lewis Center for Educational Research.

Holland is writing a biography about Capt. McConnell.

"I have been researching Capt. McConnell since April 26, 2019, when I visited his grave on a whim, although I did not intend to write a book at that time," Holland said. "The more I learn about him, the more I am amazed at how remarkable and inspiring he was."

Holland said the tentative book title is "McConnell: The Untold Story of America's No. 1 Jet Ace and His Lessons for Your Success."

"Capt. McConnell was a remarkable man. He was based at George (Air Force Base) in Victorville and lived in Apple Valley," said Holland.

For more information, visit the Capt. Joseph McConnell Jr. History Page on Facebook.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Pair reunite after 70 years to honor top jet ace in Palm Springs.