Lt. (JG) John J. Malloy VPB-104

[Bill Brouillard Jr.]

John Joseph Malloy was born in Boston Massachusetts on March 25, 1922. At age 17 in 1939 he enrolled in the Coast Guard Academy in Now London, CT as a Cadet however he left the Coast Guard on September 10, 1940 (Earning the American Defense Service Medal). Malloy enrolled in Harvard University as an Electrical Engineering major. While at Harvard in May 1942 he enlisted in the Navy Reserve and was commissioned an Ensign USNR on March 9, 1943 and transferred to NATC Pensacola Florida to begin flight training. In July 1943 Malloy was ordered to VP-72 in the Pacific Theater. Malloy was promoted to Lt. (JG) on April 1, 1944 and was returned to the US in August 1944 where he began flight training on the PB4Y-1 Patrol Bomber. On March 23, 1945 he was assigned to VPB-104 flying from Clark Field PI.

On May 13, 1945 Lt (JG) Malloy and his crew #25 (3 Officers and 9 Enlisted Men) flying PB4Y-1 No. 38979 left on a mission to disrupt enemy shipping in the vicinity of Haiphong Indo-China. During the attack the airplane’s wing tanks were punctured from AA Fire. As a result, considerable fuel was lost and Malloy was forced to ditch 60 miles west of Luzon Island. It was during the ditching of the airplane at sea that Malloy, AOM3/c Clarence Whitney, and AMM3/c James F. Quinn lost their lives. The remaining crew of 2 officers and 7 enlisted men survived at sea for 19 hours in the water until rescued by the USS Conway (DD507).

On June 2, 1945 the Malloy’s parents were informed of his loss and was reported in the Milton Massachusetts Evening Newspaper.

Malloy’s Parents received his Purple Heart Medal on June 30, 1945 and his WWII Victory Medal in 1947, and his Asiatic-Pacific and American Theatre Campaign Medals in 1948.

[Stogieman]

Hi Bill, beautiful, well researched group. How very sad

[Bill Brouillard Jr.]

On 02/05/2023 at 17:22, Stogieman said:

Hi Bill, beautiful, well researched group. How very sad

Yes - John was their only child - The Parents also sacrificed during the war.

 

Bill