World War II Honoree

Joseph J. Grady, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

Meg Grady Finchum

Relationship

Daughter

SERVED IN THE MOJAVE DESERT FOR 3 YEARS AS AN AIRPLANE AND ENGINE MECHANIC WITH 421ST ARMY AIR FORCE BASE UNIT IN MUROC, CALIFORNIA. HE TRAINED ON 'PIPER CUB' PLANES AND PERFORMED THE DUTIES OF AIRPLANE AND ENGINE MECHANIC, INSPECTING, MAINTAINING AND MAKING MAJOR REPAIRS ON AIRCRAFT. HE EXAMINED ENGINES, WINGS, FUSELAGES, STABILIZERS, FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES, PROPELLERS AND LANDING GEARS FOR EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE OR WEAR AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. HE ALSO FLEW THE PLANES UNTIL HE DAMAGED HIS EARDRUM WHILE FLYING IN 1944.