Joe was born in Lorain, Ohio and graduated from Lorain High School. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy graduating with the Class of 1926. Unlike their Naval counterparts who had to "go to sea" for 2 years, those who chose the Marine Corps option could go directly to Pensacola for flight School. While he was there, he broke his leg and disqualified for further flying. He was sent to Tientsin, China where he spent a year with the China Marines. After the Marines left China, Joe managed to pass the flight physical and was sent back to Pensacola where he won his wings.

He flew with Gen C. Frank Schilt and the Marines in the Nicaraguan Campaign. He returned to Pensacola in 1932 as a flight instructor and met my mom there. They were married on 19 May 1933 and honeymooned across country to his new duty station, Coronado CA. More later.....

US Marine Corps
WWII Veteran
Missing in Action at the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942
Honolulu Memorial records date as 5 June 1943, officially declared 1 year and 1 day after MIA listing.

SIGNIFICANT NAMINGS: WW2 Henderson Field at Guadalcanal was named for him on 19 Aug 1942. USS Henderson DD-785 commissioned on 4 Aug 1945, Seattle. 21st Street Bridge in Lorain, Ohio, one of the twin bridges over the Black River, named the Lofton Henderson Memorial Bridge, October 21, 1991. Originally Henderson Field on Eastern Island (Midway Atoll) was active and now the public airport is currently located on Sand Island (Midway Atoll) named Henderson Field.

Major Awards: Navy Cross, Purple Heart

Joe was born in Lorain, Ohio and graduated from Lorain High School. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy graduating with the Class of 1926. Unlike their Naval counterparts who had to "go to sea" for 2 years, those who chose the Marine Corps option could go directly to Pensacola for flight School. While he was there, he broke his leg and disqualified for further flying. He was sent to Tientsin, China where he spent a year with the China Marines. After the Marines left China, Joe managed to pass the flight physical and was sent back to Pensacola where he won his wings.

He flew with Gen C. Frank Schilt and the Marines in the Nicaraguan Campaign. He returned to Pensacola in 1932 as a flight instructor and met my mom there. They were married on 19 May 1933 and honeymooned across country to his new duty station, Coronado CA. More later.....

US Marine Corps
WWII Veteran
Missing in Action at the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942
Honolulu Memorial records date as 5 June 1943, officially declared 1 year and 1 day after MIA listing.

SIGNIFICANT NAMINGS: WW2 Henderson Field at Guadalcanal was named for him on 19 Aug 1942. USS Henderson DD-785 commissioned on 4 Aug 1945, Seattle. 21st Street Bridge in Lorain, Ohio, one of the twin bridges over the Black River, named the Lofton Henderson Memorial Bridge, October 21, 1991. Originally Henderson Field on Eastern Island (Midway Atoll) was active and now the public airport is currently located on Sand Island (Midway Atoll) named Henderson Field.

Major Awards: Navy Cross, Purple Heart