LtCol, USAF (Ret). Born 10 Feb 1920, Boz, Texas, deceased 12 June 2000, Phoenix, Arizona.

Graduated from Forreston HS, Texas, 1938. Attended Trinity University 1938-1939. Married Pauline Jane Sanders 5 Sep 1942 - 2 children, Joe Jr and Evelyn Jane.

Retired from USAF 1 Aug. 19 72 upon completing 31 years 5 months of active duty. Graduated pilot training Sept. 1944. Flew aircraft for 28 years. Participated in Berlin airlift, Deep Freeze Operation in Antarctica, 1959. Supported ballistic missile early warning operation at North Pole, US flights over Russia, anti-sub support in Gulf of Mexico in and around Cuba.

Served in Germany, England, Norway, Greenland, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, Alaska and many US bases.

Installed early warning radar facility on Cheju do island off coast of Korea, support of post Korea war effort. Commander communications-electronics detachments and squadrons in US and overseas bases. Provided support in installations of Titan missiles at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.

Served at 15th AF Hq as communications-electronics staff operations officer for 3 years. Flew many types of aircraft from small Piper Cubs to the giant C-124 transports.

Awarded the following medals and citations:
Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Presidential Unit Citation-1 OLC
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
World War 2 Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
Humane Action Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Antarctica Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal