Joe Taddeo

Joe Taddeo Jr. grew up in New Jersey, the son of accomplished photojournalist Joe Taddeo Sr. He joined the US Air Force to fly for the United States in that country's war with Korea. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions over Korea during the war in that country. Joe Taddeo Jr. was flying a very small spotter plane (doing what they use pilot-less drones for today) when his plane took a direct hit. Only very small pieces reached the land below. His citation is below:

:"By direction of the President, Second Lieutenant Joseph A. Taddeo Jr has been posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross."

History

Second Lieutenant Joseph A. Taddeo Jr., 6147th Tactical Control Group, Fifth Air Force, distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as pilot of an unarmed T-6 type aircraft on 17 April 1953. While on a tactical control mission near Kumhwa, Korea, Lieutenant Taddeo expertly directed four fighter-bomber aircraft in an attack on an enemy strong point consisting of automatic weapons positions, and bunkers for personnel and supplies. After making a low altitude reconnaissance of the target area, Lieutenant Taddeo contacted the fighter-bombers and led them to the target. Despite intense small arms and automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Taddeo remained over the target area at low altitude while directing the four fighter-bombers in their attack runs. The strike effectively damaged six bunkers, one mortar position, three automatic weapons positions and destroyed stores of enemy ammunition causing two secondary explosions. By his high personal courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Taddeo had brought credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.