| Copyright © 2005 -- 2009 The American Legion Post 11-11, District 5, Department of Colorado . This site is written and maintained by Post Chaplain Jim Bellew |
| Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. American Legion Post 11-11 |
North Jefferson County, Colorado
| Welcome to The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., American Legion Post 11-11 |
| Post 11-11 named in honor of Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. |
| His squadron, flying in the bitter winter over the Bay of Biscay, suffered heavy casualties, and by the time Joe had completed his designated number of missions in May, he had lost his former co-pilot and a number of close friends. Joe refused his proffered leave and persuaded his crew to remain on for D-day. They flew frequently during June and July, and at the end of July they were given another opportunity to go home. He felt it unfair to ask his crew to stay on longer, and they returned to the United States. He remained. For he had heard of a new and special assignment for which volunteers had been requested which would require another month of the most dangerous type of flying. |
| The Secret mission on which he lost his life was described by a fellow officer after it was declassified: Joe, regarded as an experienced Patrol Plane Commander, and a fellow-officer, an expert in radio into the air and to stay with it until two "mother" planes had achieved complete radio control over the Joe, regarded as an experienced Patrol Plane Commander, and a fellow-officer, an expert in radio "drone." They were then to bail out over England; the "drone," under the control of the "mother" control projects, was to take a "drone" Liberator bomber loaded with 21,170 pounds of high explosives planes, was to proceed on the mission which was to culminate in a crash-dive on the target, a V-2 rocket launching site in Normandy. The airplane ... was in flight with routine checking of the radio controls resulting in the death of its two pilots. No final conclusions as to the cause of the explosions has ever been reached, nor have their remains been found. Joe was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross ... and also the Air Medal ... In 1946 a destroyer, the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., destroyer No. 850, was launched at the Fore River shipyards as the Navy's |
| Additional sites to visit:: Historic Naval Ships Association - THE SECRET MISSION - Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation |
| Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. American Legion Post 11-11 a.k.a Post 1111 9959 Wadsworth Blvd Broomfield, CO 80021 |
Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Jr., older brother of President John F. Kennedy,
was born in Nantasket, Mass., 25 July 1915. He attended Harvard College
and Harvard Law School, enlisting in the Naval Reserve 24 June 1941. After
flight training, Kennedy was commissioned Ensign 5 May 1942. He served
with Patrol Squadron 203 and Bombing Squadron 110 before joining a
special air unit in Britain in 1944. He was appointed Lieutenant 1 July 1944.
Lt. Kennedy took part in a secret project to destroy German V-2 rocket
launching sites by the use of radio controlled drone aircraft loaded with
explosives. The plane could not take off by radio control, however, and
Kennedy volunteered to take her into the air where guidance systems would
take over. After exhaustive preparations he and another brave flyer, Lt. W. J.
Willy, took off from Win-farthing 12 August 1944. However, the drone
exploded with two enormous blasts, killing both officers. Lt. Kennedy was
awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for this dangerous mission in the
drone Liberator bomber. His citation testifies: "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."
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
was born in Nantasket, Mass., 25 July 1915. He attended Harvard College
and Harvard Law School, enlisting in the Naval Reserve 24 June 1941. After
flight training, Kennedy was commissioned Ensign 5 May 1942. He served
with Patrol Squadron 203 and Bombing Squadron 110 before joining a
special air unit in Britain in 1944. He was appointed Lieutenant 1 July 1944.
Lt. Kennedy took part in a secret project to destroy German V-2 rocket
launching sites by the use of radio controlled drone aircraft loaded with
explosives. The plane could not take off by radio control, however, and
Kennedy volunteered to take her into the air where guidance systems would
take over. After exhaustive preparations he and another brave flyer, Lt. W. J.
Willy, took off from Win-farthing 12 August 1944. However, the drone
exploded with two enormous blasts, killing both officers. Lt. Kennedy was
awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for this dangerous mission in the
drone Liberator bomber. His citation testifies: "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."
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (DD-850) was launched by Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Mass.,
26 July 1945; sponsored by Miss Jean Kennedy, sister of Lt. Kennedy; and commissioned
at Boston 15 December 1945, Comdr. H. G. Moore in command.
26 July 1945; sponsored by Miss Jean Kennedy, sister of Lt. Kennedy; and commissioned
at Boston 15 December 1945, Comdr. H. G. Moore in command.
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