MARINETTE, Wis. (WBAY) – Daniel McMann died in an Air Force crash more than 7 decades ago, and his final resting place is now his hometown.

It’s a homecoming over 73 years in the making.

“We would’ve traveled around the world to make this happen,” said Mary Sullivan, Daniel’s cousin.

Mary Sullivan is one of over 100 family and community members who came to Marinette on Wednesday to honor Daniel McMann, a 22-year-old airman second class who died alongside 51 others in 1952 after his plane, bound for Elmendorf Air Force Base, crashed in Alaska.
“It doesn’t matter if it was 75 years ago or tomorrow. They all deserve our respect,” said Sullivan.

McMann’s remains were some of the last identified at the crash site, thanks in part to Tonja Anderson-Dells, the founder of “Homeward Bound”.

“I’m honor-bound to make sure our military holds true to make sure we never leave all our fallen behind,” said Anderson-Dells.

Tonja’s grandfather died in the same crash that killed McMan.

To read more: https://www.wbay.com/2026/06/17/remains-marinette-airman-killed-1952-plane-crash-return-home/