Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Thomas Fitzpatrick (pilot)


 * The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review).  No further edits should be made to this page.

The result was keep. There is consensus that the sourcing brought forward during this AfD is enough to overcome WP:1E concerns. (non-admin closure) – Lord Bolingbroke (talk) 19:50, 5 June 2020 (UTC)

Thomas Fitzpatrick (pilot)

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Textbook WP:1E bio about a man who twice landed a plane on the streets of New York. I would love to salvage this but I don't know how as I cannot locate adequate sources.

In addition to notability, I have a serious problem as to crucial portions of this biography. One of the main sources is a death notice that may be about a different person. He has a common name, and the death notice does not say if he was responsible for the famous landing. That source states that he was a World War II veteran, which is hard to believe as he was born in 1930. The subject of this article may not even be dead. Figureofnine (talk • contribs) 19:17, 29 May 2020 (UTC)

I've stricken out my reservations about the death notice as some of its contents, specifically the date of death, were adopted in a New York Times article. My concerns re WP:1E stand, however. An article on the incident, not the person, might be a solution. Figureofnine (talk • contribs) 23:07, 30 May 2020 (UTC)
 * Note: This discussion has been included in the list of People-related deletion discussions. Figureofnine (talk • contribs)  19:17, 29 May 2020 (UTC)
 * Note: This discussion has been included in the list of Aviation-related deletion discussions.  CAPTAIN RAJU (T) 20:36, 29 May 2020 (UTC)
 * Note: This discussion has been included in the list of New York-related deletion discussions.  CAPTAIN RAJU (T) 20:36, 29 May 2020 (UTC)
 * Note: This discussion has been included in the list of New Jersey-related deletion discussions.  CAPTAIN RAJU (T) 20:36, 29 May 2020 (UTC)


 * Comment - It's a Keep if a few more RS can be found. Snopes indicates that it's a true story; I think it rises above 1E... Caro7200 (talk) 20:40, 29 May 2020 (UTC)
 * There's no question that it is a true story. The problem is that the person is noted only for that (WP:1E) as evidenced by an absence of sources on the person that would indicate if he is even alive or dead. The inadequate sourcing stating his death, a death notice not mentioning the incident, creates a serious BLP issue. Moving to St. Nicholas Avenue street landing or something like that is one possible solution, assuming the incident itself is worth an article, which I doubt. Figureofnine (talk • contribs) 12:03, 30 May 2020 (UTC)
 * I agree, the article can be taken down to the studs of NYT and Snopes, and built from there. If you are a history buff, perhaps you know which non-newspaper history sites are legit. I think the incidents are notable, whether the article falls under Mr. Fitzpatrick's name or under a title that refers more to the landings. Caro7200 (talk) 14:18, 30 May 2020 (UTC)
 * I'm a bit dubious about the notability of the incident. But if it is notable, the sourcing is adequate for a short article and I am sure there is more contemporary news coverage. Let's hear other opinions on the notability of the incident (in addition to Mr. Fitzpatrick's notability, which is the subject of this AfD). I think Snopes is mainly useful in pointing to reliable sources. It debunks hoaxes and this is clearly not a hoax. Figureofnine (talk • contribs) 19:24, 30 May 2020 (UTC)
 * The incident is notable, he did it twice and was a decorate war hero, which should pass WP:1E, also he is no longer alive, this source says he lied about his age so the information appears to be accurate. Valoem talk contrib 22:45, 30 May 2020 (UTC)
 * I agree that we can report he is dead, though I'm not overjoyed that the Times source is that death notice. http://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/TommyFitz-Cessna140s-NYC.htm appears to be a self-published source I'd hate to rely upon it for a BLP Figureofnine (talk • contribs) 23:04, 30 May 2020 (UTC)


 * Keep Textbook example of an individual who was notable during his lifetime and whose notable exploits were recorded in obituaries after his death, an enduring legacy of his notability. Alansohn (talk) 04:04, 31 May 2020 (UTC)

Keep per the significant coverage in multiple independent reliable sources. Sources published from 2013–2019 (ordered chronologically)   <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> </ol> Sources published from 1956–1957 (ordered chronologically) <ol> <li>Silberfarb, Edward. (1956-10-01). "Pilot Detained In $5,000 Bail: Emerson Man Held On Four Charges After Landing Plane on New York Street" (pages 1 and 2). The Record. Archived from the original (pages 1 and 2) on 2020-05-30. Retrieved 2020-05-30. – via Newspapers.com.</li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li>1956-10-01. "Flier Who Used Street As Port To Face Court" (pages 1 and 2). The Record. Archived from the original (pages 1 and 2) on 2020-05-31. Retrieved 2020-05-31. – via Newspapers.com.</li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> </ol> Sources published from 1958–1959 (ordered chronologically) <ol> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> <li></li> </ol>

Sources published from 2013–2019 (ordered chronologically) <ol> <li> The article notes: "But the remarkable drunken landings of Tommy Fitz have all but slipped into oblivion. The pilot, Thomas Fitzpatrick, turned a barroom bet into a feat of aeronautic wonder by stealing a plane from a New Jersey airport and landing it on St. Nicholas Avenue in northern Manhattan, in front of the bar where he had been drinking. ... That first flight, Mr. Fitzpatrick admitted, was the result of a barroom bet, according to articles in The New York Times. (He died in 2009 at age 79.) ... According to an obituary about Mr. Fitzpatrick published in a New Jersey newspaper, he was a Marine during the Korean War and received a Purple Heart. He worked as a steamfitter for 51 years, it said, had three sons and lived in Washington Township, N.J. He remained married for 51 years to his wife, Helen, who, when contacted recently, hung up on a reporter who asked about the flights."</li> <li> The article notes: "After a night at the Washington Heights taverns in 1956, Thomas Fitzpatrick bet a fellow patron that after he got home to New Jersey, he could return to the bars in under 15 minutes. To fulfill the bet, the then-26-year-old stole a single-engine plane from the Teterboro School of Aeronautics and eventually landed it on St. Nicholas Ave. around 191st St. Apparently, he meant to land on the field of a nearby school, but because their lights were off, the allegedly drunk pilot decided the lamplit street would be his best chance at winning the bet. A sergeant of the Police Aviation Bureau described Fitzpatrick's chances of success as '100,000-to-1.' Although he initially received a $5,000 bail for the stunt, Fitzpatrick ended up only paying a $100 fine, partly because the owner of the stolen plane refused to file a complaint. That said, his pilot's license was revoked, which didn't keep him from completing a similar landing a couple years later on Amsterdam Ave. and 187th St., after a bar patron refused to believe he'd pulled off the first flight. That time around, he had to serve six months in jail."</li> <li> The article notes: Thomas Edward Fitzpatrick was born on 24 April 1930 in New York City in the USA. In 1945, Fitzpatrick served with the US Marine Corps in World War II's Pacific theatre. He was clearly too young to serve, so it is obvious that he lied about his age. After the war, he was honourably discharged, but a few years later, he volunteered to serve with the US Army in the Korean War. For his service Fitzpatrick was awarded a Silver Star for 'gallantry in action against the enemy,' as well as a Purple Heart for being wounded in combat. The latter medal's citation read: "During a strategic withdrawal, Corporal Fitzpatrick noticed a wounded officer, about 100 yards (91 metres) forward of his position. In attempting a rescue, he and a companion were seriously wounded. Cpl. Fitzpatrick, despite severe pain and loss of blood, made it back to safety, organised and directed a second rescue party and provided covering fire to support the rescue." In 1952, Fitzpatrick returned to New York, where he worked as a steamfitter whilst receiving flying lessons in his spare time. ... Fitzpatrick then lived a normal life as a law-abiding citizen until he died from cancer in September 2009 at the age of 79.</li> <li> The article notes: "The New York Daily News reported on 1 October 1956 that Thomas Fitzpatrick, 26, was drinking at a Washington Heights ginmill after a bachelor party when he suddenly got the urge to fly. Fitzpatrick drove to the Teterboro Airport in New Jersey where he “borrowed” a Cessa 140 two-seater plane — he apparently knew one of the owners — and then flew it back to Manhattan, where he landed on a narrow street."</li> </ol> Sources published from 1956–1957 (ordered chronologically) <ol> <li>Silberfarb, Edward. (1956-10-01). "Pilot Detained In $5,000 Bail: Emerson Man Held On Four Charges After Landing Plane on New York Street" (pages 1 and 2). The Record. Archived from the original (pages 1 and 2) on 2020-05-30. Retrieved 2020-05-30. – via Newspapers.com. The article notes: "Performing the unusual is not new to Fitzpatrick, however. According to his brother, Frank, he joined the U. S. Marine Corps at the age of 15, and was stationed in China at the close of World War II. Before he was discharged two years later he had learned to fly a reconnaissance plane. After service with the Marines he joined the Army and was sent to Japan. A New York City resident at the time, he was scheduled to return home when the Korean emergency began. Within a week, he became the first person from New York City to be wounded in Korea. According to one report, he was wounded while driving an ammunition truck to rescue some American soldiers trapped by Communist fire. He allegedly obtained his civilian pilot's license through the Teterboro School of Aeronautics, owner of the craft he allegedly stole. Donald Hulse of 165 Kaywin Road, Paramus, signed the larceny complaint. The airplane, which was dismantled by police after the landing, is a Cessna 140." The article notes that Fitzpatrick had previously resided in Emerson, New Jersey, but moved to Carlstadt in June after he got married. The article notes he is a mechanic working for Curtiss Wright Corporation at Caldwell, Fitzpatrick. It notes he resides with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fitzpatrick. He has an older brother and an older sister. The article calls him an "ex-Army heavyweight boxing champion". The article further notes: "He joined an Army boxing team after recuperating from his Korean wounds. During his convalescence he lost and later regained 70 of his 220 pounds. Prior to his Army discharge in 1951 he was assigned as a military policeman patrolling the Times Square Area in New York City."</li> <li> The article notes: "In the tavern, Fitzpatrick said, came the sudden impulse to fly. It was like a bolt out of the wild blue yonder. Fitzpatrick, an airplane mechanic who is a licensed pilot and a student at a Tereboro, N. J., flying school, could not exist resist. It was 2 AM when he left the bar and drove to Teterboro and took the plane. He said he told David Van Dyek Jr., a part owner of the plane and son of one of the field's operators, that he was 'borrowing' the plane, a Cessna two-seater. He said Van Dyek told him he didn't care if he did. (Van Dyek later denied this.)"</li> <li> The article notes: "A 26-year-old airplane mechanic, topping off a bachelor party with a few quiet drinks in a Washington Heights ginmill at 191st St. and St. Nicholas Ave., was seized by a sudden urge to fly shortly after 2 A. M. yesterday. ... Fizpatrick, a 6-foot, 200-pound mechanic at the Curtiss-Wright plant in Caldwell, N. J., said he had attended a friend's bachelor party at 85th St. and First Ave. Saturday night. Then, having formerly lived at 570 W. 189th St., he dropped into the uptown ginmill for old time's sake. A licensed pilot for 2½ years and a student at a Teterboro aeronautics school, he got to thinking about the joys of flying and drove over to Teterboro."</li> <li> The article notes: "Thomas Fitzpatrick, 26, Emerson, N.J., set the small Cessna 140 down on St. Nicholas Ave., a main thoroughfare running north-south in Washington Heights, about nine minutes after taking off from a New Jersey airfield while authorities tried vainly to stop him. Fog and smoke had reduced visibility to one mile. The mechanic, a licensed pilot with 400 hours of flying experience, brought the plane down between buildings averaging about six stories in height in the heavily populated area. The plane careened about two blocks before Fitzpatrick brought it to a skidding halt, then taxied to the intersection at 191st St. and left the plane parked by a fire hydrant."</li> <li> The article notes: "The police, although somewhat amazed at his skill, were less kindly disposed toward him. The booked him on charges of grand larceny, two violations of the city administrative code—reckless operation of an aircraft and improper landing—and violation of the Civil Aeronautics Administration regulation which requires a medical checkup every two years. Mr. Fitzpatrick had his last in May, 1954, although at six feet and about 200 pounds he looked to be quite healthy."</li> <li> The article notes: "A strapping young mechanic, Thomas Fitzpatrick, with an urge to fly and a desire for a nightcap dropped in by plane at his favorite tavern in crowded Manhattan early Sunday. Fitzpatrick, 26, skillfully piloted a small plane down between rows of apartment houses and made a perfect landing on St. Nicholas Avenue at 191st Street. He then taxied up the darkened street to the tavern. The police said he reached the bar in time for a short beer before the 3 AM closing."</li> <li>1956-10-01. "Flier Who Used Street As Port To Face Court" (pages 1 and 2). The Record. Archived from the original (pages 1 and 2) on 2020-05-31. Retrieved 2020-05-31. – via Newspapers.com. The article notes: "Police said Fitzpatrick pulled the stunt apparently to convince a drinking companion that he had done it before—in a similar plane taken from the same owner, Donald Hulse of Paramus, N. J. Hulse refused to press grand larceny charges against Fitzpatrick in 1956. Police who recalled the 1956 incident immediately thought of the Carlstadt man after the Saturday landing. Fitpzpatrick denied the stunt at first, but admitted it when witnesses who had seen him fleeing the scene identified him."</li> <li> The article notes: "At 2:30 A. M., he took off from Tereboro Airport. He said he had borrowed the craft with the approval of one of its owners. While flying about he developed engine trouble and was forced to make the St. Nicholas Avenue landing. It was all a conincidence, he said, that he happened to have spent the early evening there with friends who still were there when he returned. The police apparently did not accept this version. Their aviation experts took a look at the plane's engine and decided there was nothing wrong with it, and so Mr. Fitzpatrick went off to jail. Later he was arraigned in Felony Court where Magistrate Edward J. Chapman set bail of $5,000 on a charge of suspicion of grand larceny."</li> <li> The article notes: "If Thomas Fitzpatrick is not a wiser man after his 'successful' flight from Teterboro, New Jersey, to a street landing on Manhattan Island, New York, in the dark, he ought to be. Fitzpatrick, 26, identified as a mechanic with 400 hours of flying experience, told police he visited a bar in New York and consumed a couple of drinks with a group of young men who were attending a stag party."</li> <li> The article notes: "Thomas Fitzpatrick, 26, of 15 Dogwood Lane, Emerson, N. J. charged with landing an airplane on a New York street, pleaded innocent in Special Sessions Court here today. ... He is awaiting trial, scheduled for later this month, on a 3-count criminal information which accuses him of landing a plane within the limits of New York City at a place not designated for bringing down airplanes, flying while drunk, and without a current medical certificate."</li> <li> The article notes: "Thomas Fitzpatrick, 26, of 15 Dogwood Lane, Emerson, charged with performing an almost impossible plane landing on a New York street, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of a criminal information pending against him. In the plea, enetered in Special Sessions Court, Fitzpatrick admits landing an aircraft at a place not designated by the Department of Marine and Aviation as a landing field."</li> <li> The article notes: "Thomas Fitzpatrick, 26, of 15 Dogwood Lane, Emerson, N. J., charged with unlawful flying after he landed an airplane on a New York street, was fined $100 in Special Sessions Court here Friday. He pleaded guilty last month to one count of a 3-count information which had charged him with landing at a spot not authorized as a landing strip, drunken flying, and flying, and flying without a medical certificate. He admitted only the first charge."</li> </ol> Sources published from 1958–1959 (ordered chronologically) <ol> <li> The article notes: "Police immediately thought of a Carlstadt, N. J., man who made a similar landing two years ago within a few blocks of the same spot. Thomas Fitzpatrick, 442 Jefferson Street, appeared at a police station for questioning here this morning but there was no immediate report from officers. ... Authorities said they wanted to question Fitzpatrick, now 28, who on September 30, 1956, 'borrowed' a small plane from Hulse's school at Teterboro and landed it safely on St. Nicholas Avenue at 191st Street, Manhattan"</li> <li> The article notes: "At the time of his 1956 adventure—which brought him charges of grand larceny and violation of various flying regulations—Fitzpatrick lived at 15 Dogwood Lane, Emerson, N. J. But early today inquiry at that address brought word from his mother that her son, now 28, is now living 'somewhere in Manhattan.' Fifteen detectives from the Wadsworth Ave. station began a methodical search for the pilot in the neighborhood."</li> <li> The article notes: "The 1956 landing on St. Nicholas Ave. was suspected by police of being a prank, although pilot Fitzpatrick claimed the plane had developed mechanical trouble. Fitzpatrick was charged with grand larceny for taking the from Teterboro, reckless operation of an aircraft, improper landing and violation of a Civil Aeronautics Administration regulation which requires a pilot to have a medical examination every two years."</li> <li> The article notes: "Thomas Fitzpatrick, a New Jersey steamfitter, has done it again. For the second time in a little over two year, Fitzpatrick told police Saturday, he stole a plane from Teterboro Airport, N. J., while drunk and made a perfect landing in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan. ... He pulled the same stunt on Sept. 30, 1956. It cost him a six-month suspension of his pilot's license and he did not have it renewed."</li> <li> The article notes: "Two years ago Thomas Fitzpatrick, after an evening of elbow bending in a tavern, borrowed a small plane from a Teterboro (N.J.) airport aeronautics school, flew it to New York and landed in the middle of Amsterdam Ave. That feat cost him a $100 fine. This morning — in the small hours—Fitzpatrick, 28, did the same thing again."</li> <li> The article notes: "Thomas Fizpatrick, 28, local wrong-way Corrigan who finds air landing strips where the Port Authority never has built any, admitted yesterday, police say, that he was the hotshot pilot who landed on Amsterdam Ave., near 187th St., early yesterday in a small plane. Fitzpatrick, a husky 6-foot blond who made a similar daredevil descent at St. Nicholas Ave. and 191st St., two years ago, walked into the Wadsworth Ave. police station shortly before 8 A. M."</li> <li> The article notes: "Thomas Fitzpatrick, a 28-year-old steamfitter from New Jersey, enjoys visiting New York, especially when he can fly across the Hudson River and land a plane on a street in upper Manhattan. Mr. Fitzpatrick did just that yesterday, for the second time in two years. At 12:45 A. M., he set down a single-engined Cessna at Amsterdam Avenue and 187th Street in the Washington Heights section."</li> <li> The article notes: "'Well,' the incredulous police of the Wadsworth Ave. Station announced late yesterday 'Fitz's done it again.' Shortly thereafter they booked a large and rather shame-faced young man named Thomas Fitzpatrick for the highly improbable offense of landing a small plane in Amsterdam Ave. at 187th St. in the middle of the night. ... Today, Mr. Fitzpatrick is scheduled to appear in Felony Court. The charges against him are grand larceny and three violations of the city's administrative code—landing within city limits in a situation other than an emergency, flying without a license, and dangerous and reckless operation of an aircraft."</li> <li> The article notes: "Thomas Fitzpatrick of Carlstadt, N. J.—the man who twice has landed light planes on streets in Washington Heights—was held in $10,000 bail yesterday. He was arraigned in Felony Court on a grand larceny change."</li> <li> The article notes: "Thomas Fitzpatrick, 28, a New Jersey steamfitter with a flare for fitting planes in Manhattan streets, appears in court tomorrow for a hearing on a grand larceny charge. Fitzpatrick, a Carlstadt, N. J., resident, was held yesterday in $10,000 bail by Magistrate Reuben Levy."</li> <li> The article notes: "A hearing on a grand larceny charge against Thomas Fitzpatrick of Carlstadt, N. J., who twice has landed small planes on Manhattan streets, yesterday was postponed a second time. The case has been postponed until October 27. It was reported the latest postponement is to allow Fitzpatrick's case to be presented to a grand jury in the meantime. Fitzpatrick, 28, of 442 Jefferson Avenue, Carlstadt, appeared in felony court October 7 for a hearing, but Magistrate James Lo Piccolo put off the case on learning that defense attorney John J. McAvinue was occupied in another court."</li> <li> The article notes: "The 28-year-old steamfitter of 442 Jefferson Avenue, Carlstadt, was arraigned in General Sessions Court on an indictment charging grand larceny of a $2,500 plane and bringing stolen property into New York State. The tall, balding, sometime flier also appeared in Special Sessions Court, where he pleaded not guilty to three misdemeanor counts."</li> <li> The article notes: "Thomas Fitzpatrick of Carlstadt, N. J., who twice landed small planes on Manhattan streets, has been continued in $10,000 bail on a charge of transporting stolen property across a State line. The 28-year-old Fitzpatrick of 442 Jefferson Avenue, Carlstadt, appeared Friday in General Sessions Court and was continued in bail. No date was set for trial."</li> <li> The article notes: "Judge John S. Mullen lectured the 28-year-old ex-marine on his illegal but nonetheless incredibly skillful air exploits and sent him off to the workhouse for six months. ... The judge then noted that Fitzpatrick's record, aside from the two flights, was 'the best I have ever seen, without a doubt,' noting that the New Jersey man was an underage Marine Corps volunteer and had a good civilian record."</li> <li> The article notes: "Thomas Fitzpatrick, the New Jersey steamfitter with the propensity for landing planes in New York City streets, landed in jail for six months yesterday. ... On both occasions when Fitzpatrick stole and landed the planes here he did so after drinking. And on each occasion, he took his action on a dare from a drinking companion."</li> <li> The article notes: "Yesterday, Special Sessions Justice Simon Silver decreed a concurrent six-month term on a charge of drunken flying after Fizpatrick pleaded guilty through his attorney, John A. McAvinue. Fitzpatrick was not in court. Since the sentences were imposed at different times, Fitzpatrick, of 442 Jefferson Street, Carlstadt, N. J., will spend six and one-half months in jails."</li> <li> The article notes: "He came in. He set the bird down at Amsterdam avenue and 187th street this time. The law came running. Tom Fitzpatrick's days as a seat-of-the-pants, livin'-it-up flyer were over for some time. The other day in General Sessions, a fellow Irishman named Mullen shook his head bewilderedly and gave him six months in the workhouse. ... Well, men—they have incarcerated Tom Fitzpatrick. Tell me, please, what is left in life for the rest of us? When the urge comes upon us to go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky, or to close our ledgers and hunt for the Abominable Snowman, will they pass a law against us? Tom Fitzpatrick is a criminal and he rests, like a chained cheetah, in the pokey—and a litlte bit of all of us rests with him."</li> <li> The article notes: "United States District Court Judge Richard Hartshorne clipped Fitzpatrick's wings Monday by permanently enjoining him from piloting aircraft. ... The sometime flier appeared in court with his wife and consented to the injunction. He also signed a stipulation to pay a civil penalty of $1,000, paying $500 down and the balance in installments. Last week Fitzpatrick completed a 6-month jail sentence imposed in Manhattan in January for landing a plane the second time and for bringing property into Manhattan without permission of the owner."</li> </ol>

There is sufficient coverage in reliable sources to allow Thomas Fitzpatrick to pass Notability, which requires "significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject". Cunard (talk) 10:03, 31 May 2020 (UTC)</li></ul>

<ul><ul><li>Four sources that provide substantial background about Thomas Fitzpatrick are:<ol> <li></li> <li></li> <li>Silberfarb, Edward. (1956-10-01). "Pilot Detained In $5,000 Bail: Emerson Man Held On Four Charges After Landing Plane on New York Street" (pages 1 and 2). The Record. Archived from the original (pages 1 and 2) on 2020-05-30. Retrieved 2020-05-30. – via Newspapers.com.</li> <li> Striking as the source does not provide substantial background about Fitzpatrick. </li> </ol>The articles do not just discuss his 1956 and 1958 intoxicated flights and landings. Here is more biographical information about Fitzpatrick from the articles:<ol> <li>He was born Thomas Edward Fitzpatrick in New York City on 24 April 1930. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fitzpatrick. He had an older brother, Frank, and an older sister.</li> <li>He joined the U. S. Marine Corps at the age of 15 and likely lied about his age to join. He served during World War II in China near the end of the war. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps.</li> <li>He then enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Japan. He then fought in the Korean War in the US Army. He received the Silver Star for "gallantry in action against the enemy".</li> <li>He received a Purple Heart after he was injured. The Purple Heart medal citation said, "During a strategic withdrawal, Corporal Fitzpatrick noticed a wounded officer, about 100 yards (91 metres) forward of his position. In attempting a rescue, he and a companion were seriously wounded. Cpl. Fitzpatrick, despite severe pain and loss of blood, made it back to safety, organised and directed a second rescue party and provided covering fire to support the rescue."</li> <li>Following his recovery from his Korean War injuries (during which he lost 70 out of 220 pounds), he took part in an Army boxing team and became an Army boxing champion.</li> <li>Fitzpatrick then served as a military policeman who patrolled the area near New York City's Times Square.</li> <li>He was discharged from the Army in 1951 and moved to New York City in 1952 where he worked as a steamfitter and took flying lessons from the Teterboro School of Aeronautics.</li> <li>Fitzpatrick had previously resided in Emerson, New Jersey, but moved to Carlstadt, New Jersey, in June 1958 after he got married.</li> <li>He was a mechanic working for Curtiss-Wright Corporation at Caldwell, New Jersey.</li> <li>The "Late Night Flight" is a drink available in Manhattan named for Thomas Fitzpatrick. Ingredients are: Kahlua, vodka, Chambord, blackberries, egg white, and syrump. The drink, when properly mixed, looks like the night sky Fitzpatrick flew under.</li> <li>He died at age 79 in September 2009 from cancer.</li> </ol>Cunard (talk) 10:03, 31 May 2020 (UTC)</li></ul></ul>
 * Thanks for this. I think there's no doubt remaining about the notability of the event, as it received multiple coverage in reliable sources, so as to justify an article on the event. The details you provide on Mr. Fitzpatrick's life are based on one source, and for the most part are trivial. The claim that he served in World War II, for instance, is only in the death notice and was not repeated in the Times article. I think we need a better source than that for an extraordinary claim (that a man served in U.S. Army during World War II at the age of 14-15). Figureofnine (talk • contribs)  12:37, 31 May 2020 (UTC)
 * The details I provided on Fitzpatrick's life are based on the three sources I listed which provide detailed biographical background about him. Two reliable sources discuss Fitzpatrick's claimed service in World War II: From African Pilots 2019 article written by Divan Muller, "Thomas Edward Fitzpatrick was born on 24 April 1930 in New York City in the USA. In 1945, Fitzpatrick served with the US Marine Corps in World War II's Pacific theatre. He was clearly too young to serve, so it is obvious that he lied about his age." From The Records 1956 article written by Edward Silberfarb, "Performing the unusual is not new to Fitzpatrick, however. According to his brother, Frank, he joined the U. S. Marine Corps at the age of 15, and was stationed in China at the close of World War II. Before he was discharged two years later he had learned to fly a reconnaissance plane." The second source attributes his service in World War II at age 15 to his brother but does not say the source did any independent verification of it. This is an extraordinary claim so these two sources probably are not enough to state in Wikipedia's voice that he served in World War II at age 15. It would be better to attribute this claim to the two sources instead. Cunard (talk) 00:13, 1 June 2020 (UTC)


 * Keep, subject matter meets WP:GNG as outlined in great detail by Cunard above. RecycledPixels (talk) 18:00, 1 June 2020 (UTC)
 * Keep meets GNG, per RS in article and those provide by Cunard (thnks), which be added to it.Djflem (talk) 22:08, 1 June 2020 (UTC)
 * Keep Meets GNG per above sources. ~ EDDY  ( talk / contribs )~ 19:48, 5 June 2020 (UTC)


 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. <b style="color:red">Please do not modify it.</b> Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.