Joseph E. Kluczinski
Ensign, U.S. Navy
Service # 0-337439
United States Naval Reserve
Entered the Service from: Illinois
Pilot: Curtiss SBW-3 Helldiver 21374 (VB-80) lost at sea on launch from the U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CV-14).
Died: 16 December 1944, Buried in the Philippine Sea by Administrative Decision
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross

Son of Paul Adam Kluczynski (17 July 1893 Illinois - ) & Cecilia Przybylinski (1899 Indiana).

1930 US Census: Chicago (District 1312), Cook County, Illinois - Joseph E. Kluczynski (9 Illinois)
1940 US Census: Chicago (Ward 33), Cook County, Illinois - Joseph Kluczynski (19 Illinois)

Joseph did his training at the US Naval Air Training Center in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1943.

He married Adleine Stephanie Mumenthal (1921-2007) on 14 March 1944 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

14 April 1944: Ensign, Joseph E. Kluczinski, A-V(N), USNR, reported for duty at BOMBING SQUADRON EIGHTY (VB-80), NAAS, Oceanna, Virginia. The squadron was assigned to the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CV-14).

On October 18th, the Big "T" departed Pearl Harbor for Ulithi to join task force 38.3. On November 2nd, after a short period of intensive briefing they departed Ulithi and sortied with task force 38.

Ensign Kluczinski was flying a Curtiss SBW-3 Helldiver 21374.

On 2 Nov 1944, U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CV-14) sailed with Task Force 38 to support the campaign for Leyte, Philippine Islands. She launched her first air strike on the morning of 5 Nov, attacking targets on Luzon, Philippine Islands, and her aircraft shared credit for the sinking of the Japanese heavy cruiser Nachi. In the afternoon of 5 Nov, her group was attacked by kamikaze attacks; she was not hit, and claimed two kills on Japanese aircraft. On 6 Nov, she launched two fighter sweeps and two bombing strikes against targets at Luzon; she claimed 35 aircraft kills and 6 ships sunk in Manila Bay. On 11 Nov, along with other aircraft from other aircraft carriers, her aircraft shared credit for the sinking of nearly an entire Japanese reinforcement convoy, destroying all transports and four of the seven escorting destroyers. Between 12 and 13 Nov, carrier aircraft from the group attacked targets near Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands, destroying the light cruiser Kiso, four destroyers, and seven merchant ships. On 25 Nov, after some rest at Ulithi, her aircraft sank the heavy cruiser Kumano off Luzon and then destroyed cruiser Yasoshima, a merchant ship, and three landing ships in Dasol Bay, shot down 15 Japanese aircraft from the air, and finally destroyed 11 aircraft on the ground.

GEORGE CENTER, (Al) USNR and Ens. JOSEPH E. KLUCZINSKI, (Al) USNR both scored direct hits with 1000 G.P.'s. Rep of Air Ops in Attacks on Enemy Shipping off West Coast of Luzon Is, Philippines, on 11/25/44.

Between 11 Dec and 16 Dec, USS Ticonderoga aircraft attacked Japanese airbases on Luzon.
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UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET – AIR FORCE – BOMBONG SQUADRON EIGHTY (VB-80)
History of Bombing Squadron Eighty from 01 February 1944 to 14 August 1945

"14 December 1944 found us again attacking the enemy in the Philippines trying to keep the Jap planes on the ground so that our amphibious forces could make successful landings at Lingayen. Fighter sweeps were made against airfields in Luzon on the 4th and 15th. On the 16th a bombing attack was made by VB-80 against Laoag Airfield and several enemy planes were destroyed or damaged on the ground. Taking off for this attack, Ensign J. E. Kluczinki's engine failed and he made a crash landing off the bow, despite heroic efforts of his gunner, R. Smith, Kluczinki died from drowning on the destroyer that picked him and Smith up."
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16 December 1944 - Air Group 80 aircraft from USS Ticonderoga flew 6 strikes against Japanese positions in northern Luzon, Philippine Islands; 1 man and 1 aircraft were lost. That "1 man and 1 aircraft" was Ensign, Joseph Eugene Kluczinski.

War Diary, Report of Air Operations Against Luzon Island, Philippines 12/14-16/44 U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CV-14), Page 21
The casualties listed below occurred during this operation:
(a) KILLED – One
KLUCZINSKI, Joseph Eugene, Ensign, A-V(N), USNR; VB-80.
While taking off from carrier in SB2C-3, the plane failed to gain altitude and crashed into the sea, resulting in Ensign KLUCZINSKI's death.
(b) INJURED – One
SMITH, Rober (N), ARM3c, 826 47 43, USN; VB-80
While acting as aircrewman in SB2C-3 piloted by Ensign KLUCZINSKI, as described above, SMITH survived the crash.
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War Diary, COMDESDIV 100 Rep of ops during carrier strikes on Luzon Is, Philippines 12/14 -16/44, Page 18 U.S.S. KNAPP (DD653) Confidential Action Report: December 14, 1944 50 December 16, 1944 – LUZON STRIKES. "During this period this ship operated as a unit of the screen for Task Group 38.3 with no unusual occurrence except as follows:

Upon receipt of TBS report of plane crash at 0846, Saturday, December 16th, this ship proceeded to effect rescue and at 0852 picked up Ensign Ensign Joseph KLUCZINSKI and SMITH, Robert (n), ARM3c from VB- 91, TICONDEROGA. Their SB2c crashed during takeoff and rescue was effected while performing plane guard duties astern of TICONDEROGA. KLUCZINSKI was apparently dead from drowning. Resuscitation measures were taken immediately and were continued until 1235 when he was pronounced dead. Burial services were conducted at 1630."
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War Diary, U.S.S. KNAPP (DD653) 12/1-31/44 Pages 6-7 CONFIDENTIAL 16 December 1944 (ZT-9) TG 38.3 "Cruising as unit of screen in company with Task Group 38.3 proceding on northwesterly courses to launching area for air strikes against Luzon. Went to general quarters for dawn alert and at 0638 took plane guard station on starboard quarter of TICONDEROGA. 0846 TICONDEROGA reported plane in water. Proceeded immediately to effect rescue and at 0850 took aboard ENSIGN JOSEPH KLUCZINSKI, USNR, and SMITH, ROBERT, ARM3c, 826-47-43, USNR. During the approach one of the men was observed to be in difficulty and two men from this vessel swam out with lines to assist rescue work. Upon examination by medical officer, KLUCZINSKI was pronounced dead from drowning, but artificial respiration was began immediately. SMITH was treated for laceration about the head. 1240 all efforts having failed and rigor mortis having set in, ceased attempted resuscitation of KLUCZINSKI. At 1630 half masted colors and conducted burial services for ENSIGN JOSEPH KLUCZINSKI, USNR. 1923 Resumed station in screen in cruising disposition 5-R".
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Combat Naval Casualties, World War II: Kluczinski, Joseph Eugene, Ensign, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Addine Stella Kluczinski, 2846 No. Troy St., Chicago

Adeline later married Joseph S. Magnus (1920-1972)