Kaelin, Joseph (US-Navy)

Date of birth:: September 6th, 1923 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Date of death:: January 1st, 2000
Service number:: NSN: 0-382586
Nationality:: American

Biography

Joseph Kaelin became a Navy ACE during World War II, credited with the destruction of 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus 2 probables and 3 damaged, from March to May 1945.
He retired in 1965 as a U.S. Navy Captain.

11.11.1942: enlisted in the U.S. Navy
11.03.1943: Aviation Cadet Program
01.05.1944: Ensign and Naval Aviator
00.05.1944: carrier training and F6F Hellcat training
00.02.1945: appointed to the VF-9 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-16)
00.03.1945: transferred with the squadron to the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10)
00.03.1945-00.05.1945: credited with 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus 2 probables and 3 damaged
06.10.1945: joined the U.S. Naval Reserve
01.04.1973: retired from the reserves as a Captain

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Navy Aviator Wing

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Ensign
Awarded on:: May 1st, 1944

Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Ensign
Unit:: Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9), U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-10)
Awarded on:: July 2nd, 1945

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Joseph Kaelin (NSN: 0-382586), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron NINE (VF-9), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa on 11 May 1945. Participating in combat air patrol in defense of our occupation forces at Okinawa, Ensign Kaelin intercepted a numerically superior force of hostile aircraft and, courageously engaging the enemy fighters, shot down three, probably destroyed another and damaged two Japanese planes, thereby completely disrupting the formation and eliminating a dangerous threat to our forces. His skill as an airman and gallant fighting spirit reflect the highest credit upon Ensign Kaelin and the United States Naval Service.

Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0576