He was New York's state
American Legion commander from 1957 to 1958, and national American Legion commander from 1959 until 1960. McKneally was active in local government, and served as president of Newburgh's school board. He was a special counsel to Lieutenant Governor
Malcolm Wilson from 1960 to 1968, and counsel to the 1964 World's Fair from 1961 to 1965. In 1968, he was elected to Congress, defeating
Democratic incumbent
John G. Dow. He served from January 3, 1969, until January 3, 1971. ==Tax evasion charges==