New Milford Super fortress
Gunner Is Killed in Action
Staff Sergt. Edward J. Jordan Was Presumably On Bombing Mission from His Base in Italy.
Staff Sergeant Edward J. Jordan oldest son of former Building Inspector and Mrs. John L. Jordan of 70 River road, New Milford, and nephew of Police Chief Harry Jordan, was killed in action on Dec.20, presumably while on a bombing mission from a base in Italy according to a War Department telegram received by his parents last Thursday advising that more details would be contained in a letter to follow.
Sergt. Jordan, who had been in the service for about two years, but overseas only since September, was a tail-gunner on a B29 Super fortress with the 15 th Army Air Force in Italy , and had already received the Distinguished Unit Badge, the Air Medal, and a Presidential Citation.
In the latest letter received from him by his parents dated Dec. 13 th , he said he was looking forward to completing his required number of missions soon, so that he could be relieved and come home on furlough.
Born in New Milford 24 years ago, he was graduated from the New Milford Junior High School and the Hackensack High School. He had worked for the North American Aviation Co. at Inglewood Cal. unto the time of enlisting in the Air Forces in June 1942, from that address where he was staying with his maternal uncle, who died a short time ago.
He was called to service in February 1943, and trained at Santa Ana Field Cal. He came home on his first and only furlough last August before leaving for overseas in September, and he and his crew flew their super fortress across the Atlantic Ocean.
Mr. and Mrs. Jordan have two younger sons in the service –Charles Jordan a water-tender, second class, in the Navy, who is on an aircraft carrier somewhere in the Pacific, and Pvt. Robert Jordan, who is attending an aviation radio mechanics school at Truax Field, Wisconsin. They also have a daughter, Vera, who is attending New Milford Junior High School.
NOTE: I believe his death was on December 20, 1944, because of reference dates in article and the air base being located in Italy. The article was probably in the paper a few weeks later. The material is from Alfred Bliss's scrap book from a local newspaper and has no reference or date. Alfred Bliss served aboard the USS Wisconsin and lived in New Milford his whole life.
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