***** THIS MEMORIAL IS A CENOTAPH *****
Also see the following memorial for additional information and/or family links:
BURIAL: Buried or Lost at Sea, Specifically: He was a gunner of a torpedo plane that was shot down and lost at sea. - MEMORIAL ID 174161348
***********************************************************************************
Having actually gone "Missing" on the above date, he was not officially declared by the military as being dead until June 5, 1943, 1 year and 1 day after he went missing as was the custom.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Son of Bertha Mandeville.
Joseph served as a Seaman, Second Class, USS Yorktown (CV-5), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire prior to the war.
Joseph was declared "Missing In Action" when the Yorktown was hit by Japanese Bombs on the first day of the Battle of Midway during the war.
He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Service # 2018988
Bio by:
Russell S. "Russ" Pickett
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~∼JOSEPH EMILE MANDEVILLE, born on 02 Feb 1924 in Manchester, NH, was the son of Eugene J. and Mary Bertha Hattie (Lefebvre) Mandeville who married on 23 Dec 1911 in Rochester, Strafford, NH. His seven siblings were, Lillian Marie, Roger Joseph, Cecile M., Irene M., Louise M., Albert E., and Raymond Edward Mandeville.
Joseph attended the Maynard school on Union Street in Manchester between 1936 – 1939 completing the 8th grade. Like many of the youth of his generation, Joseph wanted to contribute to the family finances especially after the sudden death of his father who had been an employee of the W.P.A. in Manchester. The lingering effects of the Great Depression could still be felt and strained at the tender fabric of the family's finances. A steady income to help the family with expenses, adventure and the chance to learn a trade and just plain patriotism pulled strongly on many youth of the day including Joseph.
So, a day after his seventeenth birthday, 3 Feb 1941, he applied for enlistment into the US Navy at the Navy Recruiting Station Sub-Station (NRSS) in Manchester, Hillsboro, NH. His mother accompanied him and signed the parental consent form allowing Joseph to enlist. He was accepted for enlistment at NRSS, Manchester, NH after he completed a physical exam; preliminary entrance examinations; submitted character employment and school references, and passed background checks. He also was required to provide his birth certificate, a copy of which was placed in his navy service record. Interestingly, named on the birth certificate as his parents were Ludger and Bertha (Lefebvre) Montville. Joseph's surname name was Montville as well.
After he finished his pre-enlistment requirements, Joseph was placed on a short enlistment waiting list. Joseph was directed to report to the district recruiting station in Boston, MA where he enlisted in the US Navy (NSN:201 89 88) on 19 Feb 1941 for four years of service at the beginning rate of Apprentice Seaman (AS). His monthly pay was $21.00. Later that day, AS Mandeville transferred to the Naval Training Station (NTS) in Newport, Rhode Island to begin 9 weeks of recruit training.
After completing recruit training at Newport, he was granted 10 days of recruit leave to visit family and friends before entering the fleet or a class "A" school. AS Mandeville was selected to attended the Aviation Radioman Class "A" School in Seattle, Washington based upon scores on an aptitude test he took during recruit training. He may have had only an 8th grade school education, but he had an innate intelligence that showed up on the aptitude tests. His general classification was 87%.
He detached from NTS Newport on 27 May 1941traveling cross-country where he reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Seattle, WA on 01 Jun 1941. There he began the 16 week course of instruction on 02 Jun 1941 and finished at graduation on 19 Sept 1941. Joseph's final mark of 85.53 placed him 28th among a class of 48 students. During the school, Mandeville advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c) on 19 Jun 1941.
On 20 Sep 1941, S2c Mandeville detached from NAS Seattle and boarded the Aircraft Carrier, USS Lexington (CV2) as a passenger for further transfer (FFT) to the aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga (CV-3) for duty. A month later on 19 Oct 1941 S2/c Mandeville reported for duty on board Saratoga. On 21 Oct 1941, Mandeville transferred to Torpedo Squadron Three (VT-3). On 01 March 1942, S2c Mandeville was advanced two ranks to Aviation Radioman Third Class (ARM3).
Saratoga was in a refit/overhaul status most of 1941, therefore, her attached squadrons, including VT-3, were based at several Naval Air Stations in Hawaii or the west coast. On 07 Dec 1941, Saratoga was entering San Diego to embark her Air Group Three, that was temporarily assigned to NAS, San Diego. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Saratoga became the flagship of an unsuccessful American effort to relieve Wake Island. A few weeks later on 11 Jan 1942 Saratoga was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. She steamed to Pearl Harbor for temporary repairs arriving on 13 Jan 1942. She returned to the Bremerton Navy Yard for permanent repairs on 09 Feb 1942. During the yard period Saratoga's embarked squadrons were transferred elsewhere. VT-3 was assigned first to NAS Pearl Harbor at Ford Island then to NAS Kaneohe Bay on Hawaii. The squadron was assigned the duty of training new pilots in more advanced flight skills.
On 27 May 1942, Yorktown was rushed into dry dock in an attempt to fix damage she suffered during the Battle of the Coral Sea. On 28 May, the decision was made to break-up Yorktown's air group to help fill out other newly forming squadrons. Three-quarters of the Yorktown Air Group were to be replaced by Bombing Three, Fighting Three and Torpedo Three; squadrons from Saratoga's displaced Air Group Three. Bombing Five was to remain on Yorktown.
Designated squadrons from Air Groups Three and one from Five flew on board Yorktown shortly after she got underway from Pearl Harbor in company with the USS Hornet (CV-8) and USS Enterprise (CV-6). They steamed to a point on the navigation chart nicknamed "Point Luck" to await the arrival of the Japanese Striking Force which was steaming from Japan to attack Midway Island.
About a week later on 4 June 1942, pilot Ensign Oswald Aaron Powers, flying a Douglas TBD-1 torpedo plane no., 3-T-11, and his gunner/radioman ARM3 Joseph Emile Mandeville, took off from the Yorktown with other elements of the Yorktown air group to attack the Japanese force. Although VT-3 had some friendly fighter protection enroute to their targets the squadron had to thread their way through a gauntlet of swarming enemy fighters and a hail of anti-aircraft fire. Of the twelve planes that took off from the Yorktown that morning only two survived the attack, but later had to ditch near friendly forces. Ens. Powers and Petty Officer Mandeville did not return from this mission, and they were listed as missing in action. Their remains were unrecoverable. His mother received a telegram from the Navy Department on 18 June 1942 informing her that her son was missing in the service of his country. On 5 Jun 1943, he was "presumed" dead. A Navy Department letter dated 6 July 1943 was sent to Mrs Mandeville explaining in detail why her son was presumed dead on 05 Jun 1942. It offered little solace to her as she wrote many other letters asking for as many details as possible. Some of her son's personal affects were returned to her, but when she received the container it was empty.
Petty Officer Mandeville was awarded (posthumously) the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal with one bronze star (star in lieu of Fleet Clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with fleet clasp (two bronze battle stars (one bronze star for Midway and one in lieu of the fleet clasp) and the World War II Victory Medal.
-----------------------
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to Joseph Emile Mandeville, Aviation Radioman Third Class, United States Navy, for an extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a gunner of a Torpedo Squadron THREE airplane in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. While participating in a torpedo attack against enemy naval forces, MANDEVILLE, disregarding the extreme danger from intense anti-aircraft fire, assisted in repelling overwhelming fighter forces with vigorous and heroic determination, thereby aiding his squadron in pressing home the attack. His courageous conduct on this occasion was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
For the President,
Frank Knox
//S//
Secretary of the Navy
Exact transcription of citation found in his navy service record obtained from the National Archives in St Louis, MO
-----------------------------
Honor Scroll
His family also received a scroll from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in commemoration of Petty Officer Mandeville. The citation reads: In grateful memory of Joseph Emile Mandeville, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Pacific Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. YORKTOWN, 5 JUNE 1943 (Presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States
----------------------------
Combat Action Ribbon (CR) note:
None of the Navy/Marine flight crews in the Battle of Midway were eligible for or were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CR). See Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST M-1650.1 of 16 Aug 2019, Appendix 2C.1.c (3) Amplifying Guidance). It reads in part, "The CR will not be awarded in connection with aerial flight, . . . " The CR was established in 1969 and made retroactive to 07 Dec 1941. According to the Awards Manual, when deemed appropriate, the award for aerial combat is the Air Medal.
---------------------------------
Primary Sources:
1) Mandeville, Aviation Radioman Third Class, US Navy Service Record, The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR), St Louis, MO. December 2023.
2) Moore, Stephen L., Pacific Payback, The Carrier Aviators Who Avenged Pearl Harbor at the Battle of Midway. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2014.
3) Cressman, Robert J. et al. "A Glorious Page in Our History" Adm Chester Nimitz, 1942, The Battle of Midway 4-6 June 1942. Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., Inc. 1990.
4) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports
5) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports
[Bio #176 composed on 19 Dec 2016 and revised/edited on 04 Jan 24 by Gerry Lawton (G47)]
Find A Grave Memorial Page#174161348
Website Military Hall of Honor #97087
Also see the following memorial for additional information and/or family links:
BURIAL: Buried or Lost at Sea, Specifically: He was a gunner of a torpedo plane that was shot down and lost at sea. - MEMORIAL ID 174161348
***********************************************************************************
Having actually gone "Missing" on the above date, he was not officially declared by the military as being dead until June 5, 1943, 1 year and 1 day after he went missing as was the custom.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Son of Bertha Mandeville.
Joseph served as a Seaman, Second Class, USS Yorktown (CV-5), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire prior to the war.
Joseph was declared "Missing In Action" when the Yorktown was hit by Japanese Bombs on the first day of the Battle of Midway during the war.
He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Service # 2018988
Bio by:
Russell S. "Russ" Pickett
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~∼JOSEPH EMILE MANDEVILLE, born on 02 Feb 1924 in Manchester, NH, was the son of Eugene J. and Mary Bertha Hattie (Lefebvre) Mandeville who married on 23 Dec 1911 in Rochester, Strafford, NH. His seven siblings were, Lillian Marie, Roger Joseph, Cecile M., Irene M., Louise M., Albert E., and Raymond Edward Mandeville.
Joseph attended the Maynard school on Union Street in Manchester between 1936 – 1939 completing the 8th grade. Like many of the youth of his generation, Joseph wanted to contribute to the family finances especially after the sudden death of his father who had been an employee of the W.P.A. in Manchester. The lingering effects of the Great Depression could still be felt and strained at the tender fabric of the family's finances. A steady income to help the family with expenses, adventure and the chance to learn a trade and just plain patriotism pulled strongly on many youth of the day including Joseph.
So, a day after his seventeenth birthday, 3 Feb 1941, he applied for enlistment into the US Navy at the Navy Recruiting Station Sub-Station (NRSS) in Manchester, Hillsboro, NH. His mother accompanied him and signed the parental consent form allowing Joseph to enlist. He was accepted for enlistment at NRSS, Manchester, NH after he completed a physical exam; preliminary entrance examinations; submitted character employment and school references, and passed background checks. He also was required to provide his birth certificate, a copy of which was placed in his navy service record. Interestingly, named on the birth certificate as his parents were Ludger and Bertha (Lefebvre) Montville. Joseph's surname name was Montville as well.
After he finished his pre-enlistment requirements, Joseph was placed on a short enlistment waiting list. Joseph was directed to report to the district recruiting station in Boston, MA where he enlisted in the US Navy (NSN:201 89 88) on 19 Feb 1941 for four years of service at the beginning rate of Apprentice Seaman (AS). His monthly pay was $21.00. Later that day, AS Mandeville transferred to the Naval Training Station (NTS) in Newport, Rhode Island to begin 9 weeks of recruit training.
After completing recruit training at Newport, he was granted 10 days of recruit leave to visit family and friends before entering the fleet or a class "A" school. AS Mandeville was selected to attended the Aviation Radioman Class "A" School in Seattle, Washington based upon scores on an aptitude test he took during recruit training. He may have had only an 8th grade school education, but he had an innate intelligence that showed up on the aptitude tests. His general classification was 87%.
He detached from NTS Newport on 27 May 1941traveling cross-country where he reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Seattle, WA on 01 Jun 1941. There he began the 16 week course of instruction on 02 Jun 1941 and finished at graduation on 19 Sept 1941. Joseph's final mark of 85.53 placed him 28th among a class of 48 students. During the school, Mandeville advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c) on 19 Jun 1941.
On 20 Sep 1941, S2c Mandeville detached from NAS Seattle and boarded the Aircraft Carrier, USS Lexington (CV2) as a passenger for further transfer (FFT) to the aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga (CV-3) for duty. A month later on 19 Oct 1941 S2/c Mandeville reported for duty on board Saratoga. On 21 Oct 1941, Mandeville transferred to Torpedo Squadron Three (VT-3). On 01 March 1942, S2c Mandeville was advanced two ranks to Aviation Radioman Third Class (ARM3).
Saratoga was in a refit/overhaul status most of 1941, therefore, her attached squadrons, including VT-3, were based at several Naval Air Stations in Hawaii or the west coast. On 07 Dec 1941, Saratoga was entering San Diego to embark her Air Group Three, that was temporarily assigned to NAS, San Diego. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Saratoga became the flagship of an unsuccessful American effort to relieve Wake Island. A few weeks later on 11 Jan 1942 Saratoga was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. She steamed to Pearl Harbor for temporary repairs arriving on 13 Jan 1942. She returned to the Bremerton Navy Yard for permanent repairs on 09 Feb 1942. During the yard period Saratoga's embarked squadrons were transferred elsewhere. VT-3 was assigned first to NAS Pearl Harbor at Ford Island then to NAS Kaneohe Bay on Hawaii. The squadron was assigned the duty of training new pilots in more advanced flight skills.
On 27 May 1942, Yorktown was rushed into dry dock in an attempt to fix damage she suffered during the Battle of the Coral Sea. On 28 May, the decision was made to break-up Yorktown's air group to help fill out other newly forming squadrons. Three-quarters of the Yorktown Air Group were to be replaced by Bombing Three, Fighting Three and Torpedo Three; squadrons from Saratoga's displaced Air Group Three. Bombing Five was to remain on Yorktown.
Designated squadrons from Air Groups Three and one from Five flew on board Yorktown shortly after she got underway from Pearl Harbor in company with the USS Hornet (CV-8) and USS Enterprise (CV-6). They steamed to a point on the navigation chart nicknamed "Point Luck" to await the arrival of the Japanese Striking Force which was steaming from Japan to attack Midway Island.
About a week later on 4 June 1942, pilot Ensign Oswald Aaron Powers, flying a Douglas TBD-1 torpedo plane no., 3-T-11, and his gunner/radioman ARM3 Joseph Emile Mandeville, took off from the Yorktown with other elements of the Yorktown air group to attack the Japanese force. Although VT-3 had some friendly fighter protection enroute to their targets the squadron had to thread their way through a gauntlet of swarming enemy fighters and a hail of anti-aircraft fire. Of the twelve planes that took off from the Yorktown that morning only two survived the attack, but later had to ditch near friendly forces. Ens. Powers and Petty Officer Mandeville did not return from this mission, and they were listed as missing in action. Their remains were unrecoverable. His mother received a telegram from the Navy Department on 18 June 1942 informing her that her son was missing in the service of his country. On 5 Jun 1943, he was "presumed" dead. A Navy Department letter dated 6 July 1943 was sent to Mrs Mandeville explaining in detail why her son was presumed dead on 05 Jun 1942. It offered little solace to her as she wrote many other letters asking for as many details as possible. Some of her son's personal affects were returned to her, but when she received the container it was empty.
Petty Officer Mandeville was awarded (posthumously) the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal with one bronze star (star in lieu of Fleet Clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with fleet clasp (two bronze battle stars (one bronze star for Midway and one in lieu of the fleet clasp) and the World War II Victory Medal.
-----------------------
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to Joseph Emile Mandeville, Aviation Radioman Third Class, United States Navy, for an extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a gunner of a Torpedo Squadron THREE airplane in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. While participating in a torpedo attack against enemy naval forces, MANDEVILLE, disregarding the extreme danger from intense anti-aircraft fire, assisted in repelling overwhelming fighter forces with vigorous and heroic determination, thereby aiding his squadron in pressing home the attack. His courageous conduct on this occasion was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
For the President,
Frank Knox
//S//
Secretary of the Navy
Exact transcription of citation found in his navy service record obtained from the National Archives in St Louis, MO
-----------------------------
Honor Scroll
His family also received a scroll from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in commemoration of Petty Officer Mandeville. The citation reads: In grateful memory of Joseph Emile Mandeville, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Pacific Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. YORKTOWN, 5 JUNE 1943 (Presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States
----------------------------
Combat Action Ribbon (CR) note:
None of the Navy/Marine flight crews in the Battle of Midway were eligible for or were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CR). See Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST M-1650.1 of 16 Aug 2019, Appendix 2C.1.c (3) Amplifying Guidance). It reads in part, "The CR will not be awarded in connection with aerial flight, . . . " The CR was established in 1969 and made retroactive to 07 Dec 1941. According to the Awards Manual, when deemed appropriate, the award for aerial combat is the Air Medal.
---------------------------------
Primary Sources:
1) Mandeville, Aviation Radioman Third Class, US Navy Service Record, The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR), St Louis, MO. December 2023.
2) Moore, Stephen L., Pacific Payback, The Carrier Aviators Who Avenged Pearl Harbor at the Battle of Midway. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2014.
3) Cressman, Robert J. et al. "A Glorious Page in Our History" Adm Chester Nimitz, 1942, The Battle of Midway 4-6 June 1942. Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., Inc. 1990.
4) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports
5) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports
[Bio #176 composed on 19 Dec 2016 and revised/edited on 04 Jan 24 by Gerry Lawton (G47)]
Find A Grave Memorial Page#174161348
Website Military Hall of Honor #97087
***** THIS MEMORIAL IS A CENOTAPH *****
Also see the following memorial for additional information and/or family links:
BURIAL: Buried or Lost at Sea, Specifically: He was a gunner of a torpedo plane that was shot down and lost at sea. - MEMORIAL ID 174161348
***********************************************************************************
Having actually gone "Missing" on the above date, he was not officially declared by the military as being dead until June 5, 1943, 1 year and 1 day after he went missing as was the custom.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Son of Bertha Mandeville.
Joseph served as a Seaman, Second Class, USS Yorktown (CV-5), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire prior to the war.
Joseph was declared "Missing In Action" when the Yorktown was hit by Japanese Bombs on the first day of the Battle of Midway during the war.
He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Service # 2018988
Bio by:
Russell S. "Russ" Pickett
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~∼JOSEPH EMILE MANDEVILLE, born on 02 Feb 1924 in Manchester, NH, was the son of Eugene J. and Mary Bertha Hattie (Lefebvre) Mandeville who married on 23 Dec 1911 in Rochester, Strafford, NH. His seven siblings were, Lillian Marie, Roger Joseph, Cecile M., Irene M., Louise M., Albert E., and Raymond Edward Mandeville.
Joseph attended the Maynard school on Union Street in Manchester between 1936 – 1939 completing the 8th grade. Like many of the youth of his generation, Joseph wanted to contribute to the family finances especially after the sudden death of his father who had been an employee of the W.P.A. in Manchester. The lingering effects of the Great Depression could still be felt and strained at the tender fabric of the family's finances. A steady income to help the family with expenses, adventure and the chance to learn a trade and just plain patriotism pulled strongly on many youth of the day including Joseph.
So, a day after his seventeenth birthday, 3 Feb 1941, he applied for enlistment into the US Navy at the Navy Recruiting Station Sub-Station (NRSS) in Manchester, Hillsboro, NH. His mother accompanied him and signed the parental consent form allowing Joseph to enlist. He was accepted for enlistment at NRSS, Manchester, NH after he completed a physical exam; preliminary entrance examinations; submitted character employment and school references, and passed background checks. He also was required to provide his birth certificate, a copy of which was placed in his navy service record. Interestingly, named on the birth certificate as his parents were Ludger and Bertha (Lefebvre) Montville. Joseph's surname name was Montville as well.
After he finished his pre-enlistment requirements, Joseph was placed on a short enlistment waiting list. Joseph was directed to report to the district recruiting station in Boston, MA where he enlisted in the US Navy (NSN:201 89 88) on 19 Feb 1941 for four years of service at the beginning rate of Apprentice Seaman (AS). His monthly pay was $21.00. Later that day, AS Mandeville transferred to the Naval Training Station (NTS) in Newport, Rhode Island to begin 9 weeks of recruit training.
After completing recruit training at Newport, he was granted 10 days of recruit leave to visit family and friends before entering the fleet or a class "A" school. AS Mandeville was selected to attended the Aviation Radioman Class "A" School in Seattle, Washington based upon scores on an aptitude test he took during recruit training. He may have had only an 8th grade school education, but he had an innate intelligence that showed up on the aptitude tests. His general classification was 87%.
He detached from NTS Newport on 27 May 1941traveling cross-country where he reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Seattle, WA on 01 Jun 1941. There he began the 16 week course of instruction on 02 Jun 1941 and finished at graduation on 19 Sept 1941. Joseph's final mark of 85.53 placed him 28th among a class of 48 students. During the school, Mandeville advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c) on 19 Jun 1941.
On 20 Sep 1941, S2c Mandeville detached from NAS Seattle and boarded the Aircraft Carrier, USS Lexington (CV2) as a passenger for further transfer (FFT) to the aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga (CV-3) for duty. A month later on 19 Oct 1941 S2/c Mandeville reported for duty on board Saratoga. On 21 Oct 1941, Mandeville transferred to Torpedo Squadron Three (VT-3). On 01 March 1942, S2c Mandeville was advanced two ranks to Aviation Radioman Third Class (ARM3).
Saratoga was in a refit/overhaul status most of 1941, therefore, her attached squadrons, including VT-3, were based at several Naval Air Stations in Hawaii or the west coast. On 07 Dec 1941, Saratoga was entering San Diego to embark her Air Group Three, that was temporarily assigned to NAS, San Diego. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Saratoga became the flagship of an unsuccessful American effort to relieve Wake Island. A few weeks later on 11 Jan 1942 Saratoga was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. She steamed to Pearl Harbor for temporary repairs arriving on 13 Jan 1942. She returned to the Bremerton Navy Yard for permanent repairs on 09 Feb 1942. During the yard period Saratoga's embarked squadrons were transferred elsewhere. VT-3 was assigned first to NAS Pearl Harbor at Ford Island then to NAS Kaneohe Bay on Hawaii. The squadron was assigned the duty of training new pilots in more advanced flight skills.
On 27 May 1942, Yorktown was rushed into dry dock in an attempt to fix damage she suffered during the Battle of the Coral Sea. On 28 May, the decision was made to break-up Yorktown's air group to help fill out other newly forming squadrons. Three-quarters of the Yorktown Air Group were to be replaced by Bombing Three, Fighting Three and Torpedo Three; squadrons from Saratoga's displaced Air Group Three. Bombing Five was to remain on Yorktown.
Designated squadrons from Air Groups Three and one from Five flew on board Yorktown shortly after she got underway from Pearl Harbor in company with the USS Hornet (CV-8) and USS Enterprise (CV-6). They steamed to a point on the navigation chart nicknamed "Point Luck" to await the arrival of the Japanese Striking Force which was steaming from Japan to attack Midway Island.
About a week later on 4 June 1942, pilot Ensign Oswald Aaron Powers, flying a Douglas TBD-1 torpedo plane no., 3-T-11, and his gunner/radioman ARM3 Joseph Emile Mandeville, took off from the Yorktown with other elements of the Yorktown air group to attack the Japanese force. Although VT-3 had some friendly fighter protection enroute to their targets the squadron had to thread their way through a gauntlet of swarming enemy fighters and a hail of anti-aircraft fire. Of the twelve planes that took off from the Yorktown that morning only two survived the attack, but later had to ditch near friendly forces. Ens. Powers and Petty Officer Mandeville did not return from this mission, and they were listed as missing in action. Their remains were unrecoverable. His mother received a telegram from the Navy Department on 18 June 1942 informing her that her son was missing in the service of his country. On 5 Jun 1943, he was "presumed" dead. A Navy Department letter dated 6 July 1943 was sent to Mrs Mandeville explaining in detail why her son was presumed dead on 05 Jun 1942. It offered little solace to her as she wrote many other letters asking for as many details as possible. Some of her son's personal affects were returned to her, but when she received the container it was empty.
Petty Officer Mandeville was awarded (posthumously) the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal with one bronze star (star in lieu of Fleet Clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with fleet clasp (two bronze battle stars (one bronze star for Midway and one in lieu of the fleet clasp) and the World War II Victory Medal.
-----------------------
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to Joseph Emile Mandeville, Aviation Radioman Third Class, United States Navy, for an extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a gunner of a Torpedo Squadron THREE airplane in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. While participating in a torpedo attack against enemy naval forces, MANDEVILLE, disregarding the extreme danger from intense anti-aircraft fire, assisted in repelling overwhelming fighter forces with vigorous and heroic determination, thereby aiding his squadron in pressing home the attack. His courageous conduct on this occasion was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
For the President,
Frank Knox
//S//
Secretary of the Navy
Exact transcription of citation found in his navy service record obtained from the National Archives in St Louis, MO
-----------------------------
Honor Scroll
His family also received a scroll from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in commemoration of Petty Officer Mandeville. The citation reads: In grateful memory of Joseph Emile Mandeville, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Pacific Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. YORKTOWN, 5 JUNE 1943 (Presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States
----------------------------
Combat Action Ribbon (CR) note:
None of the Navy/Marine flight crews in the Battle of Midway were eligible for or were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CR). See Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST M-1650.1 of 16 Aug 2019, Appendix 2C.1.c (3) Amplifying Guidance). It reads in part, "The CR will not be awarded in connection with aerial flight, . . . " The CR was established in 1969 and made retroactive to 07 Dec 1941. According to the Awards Manual, when deemed appropriate, the award for aerial combat is the Air Medal.
---------------------------------
Primary Sources:
1) Mandeville, Aviation Radioman Third Class, US Navy Service Record, The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR), St Louis, MO. December 2023.
2) Moore, Stephen L., Pacific Payback, The Carrier Aviators Who Avenged Pearl Harbor at the Battle of Midway. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2014.
3) Cressman, Robert J. et al. "A Glorious Page in Our History" Adm Chester Nimitz, 1942, The Battle of Midway 4-6 June 1942. Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., Inc. 1990.
4) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports
5) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports
[Bio #176 composed on 19 Dec 2016 and revised/edited on 04 Jan 24 by Gerry Lawton (G47)]
Find A Grave Memorial Page#174161348
Website Military Hall of Honor #97087
Also see the following memorial for additional information and/or family links:
BURIAL: Buried or Lost at Sea, Specifically: He was a gunner of a torpedo plane that was shot down and lost at sea. - MEMORIAL ID 174161348
***********************************************************************************
Having actually gone "Missing" on the above date, he was not officially declared by the military as being dead until June 5, 1943, 1 year and 1 day after he went missing as was the custom.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Son of Bertha Mandeville.
Joseph served as a Seaman, Second Class, USS Yorktown (CV-5), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire prior to the war.
Joseph was declared "Missing In Action" when the Yorktown was hit by Japanese Bombs on the first day of the Battle of Midway during the war.
He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Service # 2018988
Bio by:
Russell S. "Russ" Pickett
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~∼JOSEPH EMILE MANDEVILLE, born on 02 Feb 1924 in Manchester, NH, was the son of Eugene J. and Mary Bertha Hattie (Lefebvre) Mandeville who married on 23 Dec 1911 in Rochester, Strafford, NH. His seven siblings were, Lillian Marie, Roger Joseph, Cecile M., Irene M., Louise M., Albert E., and Raymond Edward Mandeville.
Joseph attended the Maynard school on Union Street in Manchester between 1936 – 1939 completing the 8th grade. Like many of the youth of his generation, Joseph wanted to contribute to the family finances especially after the sudden death of his father who had been an employee of the W.P.A. in Manchester. The lingering effects of the Great Depression could still be felt and strained at the tender fabric of the family's finances. A steady income to help the family with expenses, adventure and the chance to learn a trade and just plain patriotism pulled strongly on many youth of the day including Joseph.
So, a day after his seventeenth birthday, 3 Feb 1941, he applied for enlistment into the US Navy at the Navy Recruiting Station Sub-Station (NRSS) in Manchester, Hillsboro, NH. His mother accompanied him and signed the parental consent form allowing Joseph to enlist. He was accepted for enlistment at NRSS, Manchester, NH after he completed a physical exam; preliminary entrance examinations; submitted character employment and school references, and passed background checks. He also was required to provide his birth certificate, a copy of which was placed in his navy service record. Interestingly, named on the birth certificate as his parents were Ludger and Bertha (Lefebvre) Montville. Joseph's surname name was Montville as well.
After he finished his pre-enlistment requirements, Joseph was placed on a short enlistment waiting list. Joseph was directed to report to the district recruiting station in Boston, MA where he enlisted in the US Navy (NSN:201 89 88) on 19 Feb 1941 for four years of service at the beginning rate of Apprentice Seaman (AS). His monthly pay was $21.00. Later that day, AS Mandeville transferred to the Naval Training Station (NTS) in Newport, Rhode Island to begin 9 weeks of recruit training.
After completing recruit training at Newport, he was granted 10 days of recruit leave to visit family and friends before entering the fleet or a class "A" school. AS Mandeville was selected to attended the Aviation Radioman Class "A" School in Seattle, Washington based upon scores on an aptitude test he took during recruit training. He may have had only an 8th grade school education, but he had an innate intelligence that showed up on the aptitude tests. His general classification was 87%.
He detached from NTS Newport on 27 May 1941traveling cross-country where he reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Seattle, WA on 01 Jun 1941. There he began the 16 week course of instruction on 02 Jun 1941 and finished at graduation on 19 Sept 1941. Joseph's final mark of 85.53 placed him 28th among a class of 48 students. During the school, Mandeville advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c) on 19 Jun 1941.
On 20 Sep 1941, S2c Mandeville detached from NAS Seattle and boarded the Aircraft Carrier, USS Lexington (CV2) as a passenger for further transfer (FFT) to the aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga (CV-3) for duty. A month later on 19 Oct 1941 S2/c Mandeville reported for duty on board Saratoga. On 21 Oct 1941, Mandeville transferred to Torpedo Squadron Three (VT-3). On 01 March 1942, S2c Mandeville was advanced two ranks to Aviation Radioman Third Class (ARM3).
Saratoga was in a refit/overhaul status most of 1941, therefore, her attached squadrons, including VT-3, were based at several Naval Air Stations in Hawaii or the west coast. On 07 Dec 1941, Saratoga was entering San Diego to embark her Air Group Three, that was temporarily assigned to NAS, San Diego. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Saratoga became the flagship of an unsuccessful American effort to relieve Wake Island. A few weeks later on 11 Jan 1942 Saratoga was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. She steamed to Pearl Harbor for temporary repairs arriving on 13 Jan 1942. She returned to the Bremerton Navy Yard for permanent repairs on 09 Feb 1942. During the yard period Saratoga's embarked squadrons were transferred elsewhere. VT-3 was assigned first to NAS Pearl Harbor at Ford Island then to NAS Kaneohe Bay on Hawaii. The squadron was assigned the duty of training new pilots in more advanced flight skills.
On 27 May 1942, Yorktown was rushed into dry dock in an attempt to fix damage she suffered during the Battle of the Coral Sea. On 28 May, the decision was made to break-up Yorktown's air group to help fill out other newly forming squadrons. Three-quarters of the Yorktown Air Group were to be replaced by Bombing Three, Fighting Three and Torpedo Three; squadrons from Saratoga's displaced Air Group Three. Bombing Five was to remain on Yorktown.
Designated squadrons from Air Groups Three and one from Five flew on board Yorktown shortly after she got underway from Pearl Harbor in company with the USS Hornet (CV-8) and USS Enterprise (CV-6). They steamed to a point on the navigation chart nicknamed "Point Luck" to await the arrival of the Japanese Striking Force which was steaming from Japan to attack Midway Island.
About a week later on 4 June 1942, pilot Ensign Oswald Aaron Powers, flying a Douglas TBD-1 torpedo plane no., 3-T-11, and his gunner/radioman ARM3 Joseph Emile Mandeville, took off from the Yorktown with other elements of the Yorktown air group to attack the Japanese force. Although VT-3 had some friendly fighter protection enroute to their targets the squadron had to thread their way through a gauntlet of swarming enemy fighters and a hail of anti-aircraft fire. Of the twelve planes that took off from the Yorktown that morning only two survived the attack, but later had to ditch near friendly forces. Ens. Powers and Petty Officer Mandeville did not return from this mission, and they were listed as missing in action. Their remains were unrecoverable. His mother received a telegram from the Navy Department on 18 June 1942 informing her that her son was missing in the service of his country. On 5 Jun 1943, he was "presumed" dead. A Navy Department letter dated 6 July 1943 was sent to Mrs Mandeville explaining in detail why her son was presumed dead on 05 Jun 1942. It offered little solace to her as she wrote many other letters asking for as many details as possible. Some of her son's personal affects were returned to her, but when she received the container it was empty.
Petty Officer Mandeville was awarded (posthumously) the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal with one bronze star (star in lieu of Fleet Clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with fleet clasp (two bronze battle stars (one bronze star for Midway and one in lieu of the fleet clasp) and the World War II Victory Medal.
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to Joseph Emile Mandeville, Aviation Radioman Third Class, United States Navy, for an extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a gunner of a Torpedo Squadron THREE airplane in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. While participating in a torpedo attack against enemy naval forces, MANDEVILLE, disregarding the extreme danger from intense anti-aircraft fire, assisted in repelling overwhelming fighter forces with vigorous and heroic determination, thereby aiding his squadron in pressing home the attack. His courageous conduct on this occasion was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
For the President,
Frank Knox
//S//
Secretary of the Navy
Exact transcription of citation found in his navy service record obtained from the National Archives in St Louis, MO
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Honor Scroll
His family also received a scroll from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in commemoration of Petty Officer Mandeville. The citation reads: In grateful memory of Joseph Emile Mandeville, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Pacific Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. YORKTOWN, 5 JUNE 1943 (Presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States
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Combat Action Ribbon (CR) note:
None of the Navy/Marine flight crews in the Battle of Midway were eligible for or were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CR). See Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST M-1650.1 of 16 Aug 2019, Appendix 2C.1.c (3) Amplifying Guidance). It reads in part, "The CR will not be awarded in connection with aerial flight, . . . " The CR was established in 1969 and made retroactive to 07 Dec 1941. According to the Awards Manual, when deemed appropriate, the award for aerial combat is the Air Medal.
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Primary Sources:
1) Mandeville, Aviation Radioman Third Class, US Navy Service Record, The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR), St Louis, MO. December 2023.
2) Moore, Stephen L., Pacific Payback, The Carrier Aviators Who Avenged Pearl Harbor at the Battle of Midway. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2014.
3) Cressman, Robert J. et al. "A Glorious Page in Our History" Adm Chester Nimitz, 1942, The Battle of Midway 4-6 June 1942. Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., Inc. 1990.
4) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports
5) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports
[Bio #176 composed on 19 Dec 2016 and revised/edited on 04 Jan 24 by Gerry Lawton (G47)]
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