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Joseph
Aloysius Anthony
McCaffrey
1890-03-11

–

1970-08-22

Born:

New York

, 

New York

Home:

New York

, 

New York

Buried: 

Brooklyn

, 

New York

Cemetery:

Holy Cross Cemetery

Ordained a Catholic Priest in 1916, Joseph McCaffrey served as a U.S. Army Chaplain in World War I, earning a Silver Star. From 1932 until his retirement in 1968 he was pastor emeritus of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in New York City, and was affectionally called “The Bishop of Times Square.” A well-known crusader against crime and pornography in the Times Square area, McCaffrey helped convince Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia to close down neighborhood burlesque houses. He was chaplain of the New York City Police Department from 1924 to 1954.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    9th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 4 – 9, 1918
    Headquarters, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Joseph A. McCaffrey, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Chaplain McCaffrey distinguished himself while serving with the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Medeah Farm, France, from 4 to 9 October 1918.