Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Joseph
Patrick
Kennedy
MIA (WWII) KIA
July 25, 1915

–

August 12, 1944

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Cambridge

Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. was the oldest child of Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy, and older brother of President John F. Kennedy who also served in the Navy in World War II. He graduated from Choate School in Connecticut and attended the London School of Economics for one year before entering Harvard in 1934. At Harvard he played football and rugby, served on the Student Council and was graduated in 1938, cum laude. He attended Harvard Law School, but left before his final year to volunteer as a Navy Flier.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 110 (VB-110)

    Division:

    Special Air Unit 1 (Europe)

    Action Date:

    August 12, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Joseph Patrick Kennedy (NSN: 0-116667), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy Liberator Patrol Plane in Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED TEN (VB-110), Special Air Unit ONE (Europe), during a special air mission directed at Mimoyecques, France, on 12 August 1944. Well knowing the extreme dangers involved and totally unconcerned for his own safety, Lieutenant Kennedy unhesitatingly volunteered to conduct an exceptionally hazardous and special operational mission. Intrepid and daring in his tactics and with unwavering confidence in the vital importance of his task, he willingly risked his life in the supreme measure of service, and, by his great personal valor and fortitude in carrying out a perilous undertaking, sustained and enhanced the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 110 (VB-110)

    Division:

    Special Air Unit 1 (Europe)

    Action Date:

    World War II
    American Battle Monuments Commission

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Joseph Patrick Kennedy (NSN: 0-116667), United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.