CAPT. JOSEPH T. MCKEON
(Total Number Victories:6)

        Born on 14 September, 1916, in New York City, Joseph Thomas McKeon enlisted in the Army Air Corps from Maspeth, Long Island, and received his wings at Maxwell Field, Alabama, Class 41-H, on 31 October 1941. Assigned to the 15th Pursuit Group in Hawaii, he arrived two weeks before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He then transferred to the 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group in the Southwest Pacific in June 1942, he scored his first victory on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

        By the fall of 1943 McKeon was a Captain flying P-38s with the 475thFG 433rdFS. He ran up four victories during September and October, and became an ace before returning to the States in January 1944.

        Following P-38 instructor duty at Santa Maria, California, McKeon began his second overseas tour in June 1944 with the 20thFG, 77thFS at King's Cliffe in England, again flying P-38s. The 20th converted to P-51s in late July and it was in a Mustang that McKeon scored his sixth and last victory on 16 August.

        While flying his 40th. mission from England, McKeon was captured by the Germans after bailing out of his aircraft following a mid-air collision over Galinow on 7 October. He remained in German captivity until mid May 1945.

DECORATIONS: Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart and the Air Medal with 9 OLCs
McKeon piloted P-51 Serial #44-13992, Squadron Code LC-C.



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