Joseph Dunne was ordained a Catholic priest in 1942 at Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie, Yonkers, New York. He served as a parish priest at Saint Peter’s in Poughkeepsie until 1944, when he entered military service, and was commissioned as a U.S. Army chaplain. He saw service in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Continuing in service, he joined the Pusan Logistical Command in Korea on June 12, 1950, two weeks before the war in Korea began. From 1950 to January 1951 he was Regimental Chaplain of the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, during fighting to the Yalu River. He transferred to the 187th Airborne where he accompanied the team’s assault behind enemy lines, in the only major combat parachute jump of the war. He was seriously wounded when his jeep hit a mine, and was evacuated with both arms and legs broken. He returned to the New York Archdiocese and worked at Our Lady of Victory in Manhattan, Saint Sylvester’s in Staten Island, and Saint John’s in White Plains. In 1958 he was appointed Chaplain of the New York City Police Department, where he worked for 23 years. From 1981 to 1986 he worked at John Jay College of Criminal Justice as Executive Director of The Institute on Alcohol and Substance Abuse.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
187th Airborne Regimental Combat TeamDivision:
11th Airborne DivisionAction Date:
March 23 – 28, 1951
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Chaplain’s Corps) Joseph Aloysius Dunne (ASN: 0-43200), United States Army, for gallantry In action against the enemy while serving as a Chaplain with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, in action against the enemy during a parachute jump behind enemy lines near Munsan-ni, Korea, during the period 23 to 28 March 1951. Despite a heavy barrage of enemy artillery and mortar fire, Chaplain Dunne moved about the area assisting both jump and battle casualties. The following day, Chaplain Dunne walked into an uncharted mine field to administer last rites to a man who was dying after having stepped on a land mine. On 28 March, upon being informed that the 3d Battalion of the team was under heavy counterattack, Chaplain Dunne immediately moved toward the sector of the heaviest fighting to render aid and comfort to the wounded. En route, Chaplain Dunne was seriously wounded when he stepped on a mine. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Dunne, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.