Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Service # O-758184
Unit: 669th Bomber Squadron, 416th Bomber Group, Light
Honours and Awards: Distinguished Service Cross, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Entered Service from New York.
Son of Anna & Hugh Kehoe. Husband of Christine Kehoe (née Baumgartner)
John W. Kehoe was piloting his Douglas A-26 Invader on a dive-bombing mission over Munstereifel, Germany. His wife, Christine, and his new baby boy, Gary John, awaited his return home.
The A-26 was a twin-engine, ground-attack bomber designed to come in fast and low with a heavy bomb load to attack enemy supply depots or arms factories. A "six-gun nose" in the front of the aircraft contained six .50 caliber machine guns. It required just a two-man crew: a pilot and a gun loader.
John Kehoe was heading straight for the target when his plane was struck by enemy flak. "The right engine of his aircraft began smoking approximately two minutes from the target, and shortly afterward burst into flames, spreading along the fuselage and at time enveloping the canopy," read a report from the War Department. "Completely disregarding the imminent danger of explosion and with no thought for preserving his own life, he held his position into the target and his bombs were released with telling accuracy. Immediately after bombs away, his aircraft fell from formation and subsequently exploded in midair."
For his actions that day, John W. Kehoe was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest award in the U.S. Army.
His older brother Joseph also died in the war and is buried alongside him.
(info courtesy of the Brothers in Arms project)
John William Kehoe
DATE OF BIRTH: April 29, 1920
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Rotterdam, New Your
HOME OF RECORD:
Rensselaer, New York
Distinguished Service Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army Air Forces
Battalion: 669th Bombardment Squadron
Division: 9th Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 24 (1945)
CITATION:
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) John William Kehoe (ASN: 0-758184), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as an Officer of an A-26 Bomber in the 669th Bombardment Squadron, 416th Bombardment Group (L), NINTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 25 December 1944, against enemy ground targets in the European Theater of Operations. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Kehoe on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Service # O-758184
Unit: 669th Bomber Squadron, 416th Bomber Group, Light
Honours and Awards: Distinguished Service Cross, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Entered Service from New York.
Son of Anna & Hugh Kehoe. Husband of Christine Kehoe (née Baumgartner)
John W. Kehoe was piloting his Douglas A-26 Invader on a dive-bombing mission over Munstereifel, Germany. His wife, Christine, and his new baby boy, Gary John, awaited his return home.
The A-26 was a twin-engine, ground-attack bomber designed to come in fast and low with a heavy bomb load to attack enemy supply depots or arms factories. A "six-gun nose" in the front of the aircraft contained six .50 caliber machine guns. It required just a two-man crew: a pilot and a gun loader.
John Kehoe was heading straight for the target when his plane was struck by enemy flak. "The right engine of his aircraft began smoking approximately two minutes from the target, and shortly afterward burst into flames, spreading along the fuselage and at time enveloping the canopy," read a report from the War Department. "Completely disregarding the imminent danger of explosion and with no thought for preserving his own life, he held his position into the target and his bombs were released with telling accuracy. Immediately after bombs away, his aircraft fell from formation and subsequently exploded in midair."
For his actions that day, John W. Kehoe was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest award in the U.S. Army.
His older brother Joseph also died in the war and is buried alongside him.
(info courtesy of the Brothers in Arms project)
John William Kehoe
DATE OF BIRTH: April 29, 1920
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Rotterdam, New Your
HOME OF RECORD:
Rensselaer, New York
Distinguished Service Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army Air Forces
Battalion: 669th Bombardment Squadron
Division: 9th Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 24 (1945)
CITATION:
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) John William Kehoe (ASN: 0-758184), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as an Officer of an A-26 Bomber in the 669th Bombardment Squadron, 416th Bombardment Group (L), NINTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 25 December 1944, against enemy ground targets in the European Theater of Operations. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Kehoe on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Service # O-758184
Unit: 669th Bomber Squadron, 416th Bomber Group, Light
Honours and Awards: Distinguished Service Cross, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Entered Service from New York.
Son of Anna & Hugh Kehoe. Husband of Christine Kehoe (née Baumgartner)
John W. Kehoe was piloting his Douglas A-26 Invader on a dive-bombing mission over Munstereifel, Germany. His wife, Christine, and his new baby boy, Gary John, awaited his return home.
The A-26 was a twin-engine, ground-attack bomber designed to come in fast and low with a heavy bomb load to attack enemy supply depots or arms factories. A "six-gun nose" in the front of the aircraft contained six .50 caliber machine guns. It required just a two-man crew: a pilot and a gun loader.
John Kehoe was heading straight for the target when his plane was struck by enemy flak. "The right engine of his aircraft began smoking approximately two minutes from the target, and shortly afterward burst into flames, spreading along the fuselage and at time enveloping the canopy," read a report from the War Department. "Completely disregarding the imminent danger of explosion and with no thought for preserving his own life, he held his position into the target and his bombs were released with telling accuracy. Immediately after bombs away, his aircraft fell from formation and subsequently exploded in midair."
For his actions that day, John W. Kehoe was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest award in the U.S. Army.
His older brother Joseph also died in the war and is buried alongside him.
(info courtesy of the Brothers in Arms project)
John William Kehoe
DATE OF BIRTH: April 29, 1920
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Rotterdam, New Your
HOME OF RECORD:
Rensselaer, New York
Distinguished Service Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army Air Forces
Battalion: 669th Bombardment Squadron
Division: 9th Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 24 (1945)
CITATION:
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) John William Kehoe (ASN: 0-758184), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as an Officer of an A-26 Bomber in the 669th Bombardment Squadron, 416th Bombardment Group (L), NINTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 25 December 1944, against enemy ground targets in the European Theater of Operations. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Kehoe on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Service # O-758184
Unit: 669th Bomber Squadron, 416th Bomber Group, Light
Honours and Awards: Distinguished Service Cross, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Entered Service from New York.
Son of Anna & Hugh Kehoe. Husband of Christine Kehoe (née Baumgartner)
John W. Kehoe was piloting his Douglas A-26 Invader on a dive-bombing mission over Munstereifel, Germany. His wife, Christine, and his new baby boy, Gary John, awaited his return home.
The A-26 was a twin-engine, ground-attack bomber designed to come in fast and low with a heavy bomb load to attack enemy supply depots or arms factories. A "six-gun nose" in the front of the aircraft contained six .50 caliber machine guns. It required just a two-man crew: a pilot and a gun loader.
John Kehoe was heading straight for the target when his plane was struck by enemy flak. "The right engine of his aircraft began smoking approximately two minutes from the target, and shortly afterward burst into flames, spreading along the fuselage and at time enveloping the canopy," read a report from the War Department. "Completely disregarding the imminent danger of explosion and with no thought for preserving his own life, he held his position into the target and his bombs were released with telling accuracy. Immediately after bombs away, his aircraft fell from formation and subsequently exploded in midair."
For his actions that day, John W. Kehoe was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest award in the U.S. Army.
His older brother Joseph also died in the war and is buried alongside him.
(info courtesy of the Brothers in Arms project)
John William Kehoe
DATE OF BIRTH: April 29, 1920
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Rotterdam, New Your
HOME OF RECORD:
Rensselaer, New York
Distinguished Service Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army Air Forces
Battalion: 669th Bombardment Squadron
Division: 9th Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 24 (1945)
CITATION:
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) John William Kehoe (ASN: 0-758184), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as an Officer of an A-26 Bomber in the 669th Bombardment Squadron, 416th Bombardment Group (L), NINTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 25 December 1944, against enemy ground targets in the European Theater of Operations. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Kehoe on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
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