McKeon, Joseph Thomas, Lt Col

Deceased

Service Photo

Service Details

Last Rank
Lieutenant Colonel

Last Primary AFSC/MOS
1021A-Pilot

Last AFSC Group
Aircrew

Primary Unit
1944-1945, AAF MOS 1055, POW Germany

Service Years
1941 - 1963

Foreign Language(s)

French

Last Photo

Personal Details

Home State

New York

Year of Birth
1916

This Military Service Page was created/owned by SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr. to remember McKeon, Joseph Thomas, Lt Col USAF(Ret).

If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.

Contact Info

Home Town New York City, NY	Last Address Oceanside, California

Date of Passing Feb 01, 2002
Location of Interment Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery - San Diego, California	Wall/Plot Coordinates SECTION CBH ROW 3 SITE 169

Official Badges

Unofficial Badges

American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal

Military Associations and Other Affiliations


	2016, American Fighter Aces Association 1

Additional Information

Last Known Activity
He destroyed 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater and then went to Europe and shot down 1 German aircraft before he was himself shot down and held as a POW.

Synopsis of his Silver Star citation:
Awarded for actions during World War II
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Joseph T. McKeon, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a Pilot with the 433d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force during World War II.

General Orders: Headquarters, V Fighter Command, General Orders No. 5 (1943)

Action Date: World War II

Service: Army Air Forces

Rank: First Lieutenant

Company: 433d Fighter Squadron

Regiment: 475th Fighter Group

Division: 5th Air Force

Other Comments:
Sources:
http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=219
http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=48716
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=74956486
http://www.20thfightergroup.com/aces.html
http://www.20thfightergroup.com/uploads/2/5/6/1/25611749/mckeon_encounter_reports.pdf
http://www.cieldegloire.com/fg_008.php
http://www.cieldegloire.com/fg_475.php
http://www.cieldegloire.com/fg_020.php
http://www.cieldegloire.com/014_mc_keon_j_t.php
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/136487
http://www.20thfightergroup.com/aces.html
https://www.ancestry.com

Photo Album (More...)

Service Photo

1943-1944, P-38 Lightning (Forked Tail Devil)

From Year 1943	To Year 1944

Personal Memories

Not Specified

Image	P-38 Lightning (Forked Tail Devil) Details
	Aircraft/Missile Information Specifications StatsCentral Model Lockheed P-38J Lightning Length 37.83 ft \| 11.53 m Width 52.00 ft \| 15.85 m Height 9.81 ft \| 2.99 m Engine(s) 2 x Allison V-1710-111 water-cooled inline piston engines generating 1,425hp. Empty Weight 12,800 lbs \| 5,806 kg MTOW 21,601 lbs \| 9,798 kg Max Speed 414 mph \| 666 km/h \| 360 kts Max Range 2,237 miles \| 3,600 km Ceiling 43,963 ft \| 13,400 m \| 8.3 miles Climb Rate 2,500 ft/min (762 m/min) Hardpoints 2 Armament 1 x 20mm Cannon 4 x 12.7mm machine guns 10 x 5in high-explosive rockets (optional) 2 x Drop Tanks (optional) 2 x 500lb bombs (optional) Up to 4,000lbs (908kg) of underwing ordnance. Accommodations 1