T/Sgt. Henry Cassius McKinley was born in Garden Plain Township, Whiteside County, Illinois. on June 29, 1920, to Elmer McKinley and Amanda McKinley. His mother died in March 1926. Henry had two sisters who with him grew up at 34 South Twenty-first Avenue, Maywood, Illinois. He attended Proviso Township High School but left after three semesters to work. He was employed as a driver at the Keeshan Motor Express Company, Chicago, Illinois.
On July 1, 1941, he registered with Selective Service and named his father as his contact person. On January 15, 1942, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. and named his sister Elizabeth as his contact person. He received the serial number 1 603 860. The number 1 indicates that he enlisted and was not drafted into the army. Information on where he trained is lacking, but it is known he trained at Salina Airfield, Kansas. He qualified as a gunner and rose in rank to Technical Sergeant. This meant he had specialized training, but had no authority to command troops.
Henry was stationed at Lowery Field, Colorado, when he became ill and was sent to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. What is known is that he died after surgery for a mastoid bone infection. His father was notified of his death in a telegram.
With a military escort, T/Sgt. Henry C. McKinley was returned to Maywood, Illinois, for burial. After a wake, he was buried on September 1, 1943, in Elm Lawn Cemetery, Elmhurst, Illinois, in Section 6, Lot 250.
