Cops: Funeral flag stolen from family of fallen sailor

NORTH WILDWOOD, N.J. — Police in New Jersey say they are searching for the culprits who stole an American flag given to the family of a Philadelphia man killed during the Vietnam War when his ship collided with an aircraft carrier.

Police say the flag had been hanging from a flagpole on the Fourth of July in the shore town of North Wildwood when someone stole it.

The 10-foot by 5-foot flag had been given to the family of Navy Seaman Patrick Corcoran during his funeral.

The 19-year-old Corcoran and 73 other sailors were killed in 1969 when the USS Frank E. Evans collided with an Australian aircraft carrier in the South China Sea. Corcoran’s body was never found.

Police say the thieves are suspected in at least two other thefts.