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Duggan, Joseph Daniel

Date of birth:
November 1st, 1919 (St. Louis/Missouri, United States)
Date of death:
September 8th, 2009 (St. Louis/Missouri, United States)
Nationality:
American

Biography

Servicenumber 37 083 431, US Army Air Corps.

Joseph Duggan was in the Air Force from 14th October 1941 until 1st November 1945. He was a Radio Operator on a Boeing B-29 Crew # 4001, 6th Bomb Group, statoned at Tinian

After the war, he returned to St. Louis, Missouri. He was an Irish tenor, who sang in theaters and for many weddings. He also taught data processing until his retirement. He was an accomplished athlete through out his life and an avid fisherman.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Awarded on:
May 11th, 1944

With clasps "CARBINE" (11th May 1944) and "PISTOL" (6th November 1944).
Marksman Badge
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Unit:
40th Bombardment Squadron, 6th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:
May 16th, 1945
Was the first recipient of a Purple Heart in the 6th Bomb Group, after he was wounded on 19th February 1945 on a mission over Tokyo. A 2½ inch long jagged piece of shrapnel went sideways through his back next to his right shoulder blade and stopped near his heart.

General Order No. 1.
Purple Heart
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Unit:
40th Bombardment Squadron, 6th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1945
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Citation:
"For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight 24 May 1945. Sergeant Duggan was Radio Operator on a B-29 aircraft in a low-level, night incendiary mission against important industrial facilities in the city of Tokyo, Japan from a base in the Marianas Islands. Performing his duties consistently in an outstanding manner dispite heavy, intense, and accurate anti-aircraft fire and aggressive fighter attacks, Sergeant DUGGAN contributed materially to the success of this mission which inflicted severe damage on the enemy. Sergeant DUGGAN, veteran of repeated assaults against the Japanese homeland, by his own degree of individual skill, his coolness and courage in the face of great danger, and his outstanding teamwork, reflects great credit on himself and the Army Air Forces."

General Orders No. 81, 1945.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Unit:
40th Bombardment Squadron, 6th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:
November 1st, 1945
Honorable Service Lapel Button / Honorable Discharge Emblem

Seperation Base: Scott Field, Illinois.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Unit:
40th Bombardment Squadron, 6th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Forces

General Order No. 33.
Second Bronze Star received as an oak laf cluster for on the ribbon of the first Bronze Star.
Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Unit:
40th Bombardment Squadron, 6th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Forces

General Order No. 16.
Third Bronze Star received as a second oak leaf cluster for on the ribbon of the first Bronze Star.
Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Unit:
40th Bombardment Squadron, 6th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Forces

General Order No. 34.
Second Air Medal received as an oak leaf cluster for on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
Air Medal (AM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Unit:
40th Bombardment Squadron, 6th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Forces

General Order No. 146.
Third Air Medal received as a second oak leaf cluster for on the ribbon of the first Air Medal.
Air Medal (AM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Unit:
40th Bombardment Squadron, 6th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Forces

Received with three battle stars for "Air Offensive Japan", "Eastern Mandates" and "Western Pacific".
American Campaign Medal

Sources

  • Photo 1: Dan Duggan
  • - Enlisted Record and Record of Seperation honorable Discharge
    - Family records