Michael F. Mahoney

AVIATION CHIEF METALSMITH'S MATE MICHAEL F. MAHONEY was born in Camden in 1914. He was he son of Mr. and Mrs. James Mahoney, and was one of six brothers who served in the armed forces during World War II. He had attended Camden Catholic High School, and played independent football with various Camden teams throughout the 1930s. Married to Anna Dabron Mahoney, he had enlisted in the United States Navy in early 1940, and was serving at Pearl Harbor in December of 1941 when the Japanese attacked. 

Michael Mahoney saw action at Midway. He was able to return home on furlough in October of 1942. On December 7, 1942, he was interviewed as part of a nationwide radio broadcast on the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, as reported in the December 8, 1942 edition of the Camden Courier-Post. At this point he was ranked as an Aviation Machinst's Mate First Class. He was later promoted to Chief Aviation Metalsmith's Mate.

Chief Mahoney was declared missing in action on February 16, 1944 in an aircraft accident in performance of his duties. His body was not recovered, and he was declared dead by the Navy on February 17, 1945. He was survived by his father, of 709 Morgan Street, his wife, Anna Dabron Mahoney, of 1234 Jackson Street, and five brothers, all in the service at the time, Charles, James, William, Joseph, and John Mahoney. His death was reported in the February 17, 1944 evening edition of the Camden Courier-Post.

COURIER-POST, CAMDEN, N.J., MONDAY, JUNE 15, 1942

2 MEN JOIN BROTHER IN SERVICE FOR U.S.
Joseph & Charles Mahoney Enter Army;
Michael in Navy at Pearl Harbor

Three Camden brothers are in Uncle Sam's fighting forces, two of them to avenge the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7 last.
    Michael Mahoney, 27, son of James J. Mahoney, of 709 Morgan Street was in Pearl Harbor when the Japs made their dastardly attack. Michael is a first class petty officer in the aviation division of the Navy.
   His brother Joseph, 22, enlisted four months ago, in the Army. Charles, 23, another brother, went in for parachute jumping in the Army. He is attending school at Fort Benning GA. Charles recently wrote home he is going to drop behind the Jap lines and give them something to remember Pearl Harbor.
    Michael attended Camden Catholic High School and played football with independent teams around Camden before he enlisted two years ago. Joseph attended Camden County Vocational School and he is in the "plotting division" of the Army. Charles attended Woodrow Wilson High School.
    Back home rooting for the older brothers are three other brothers, William, John, and James and four sisters, Jeanette, Elaine, Charmaine, and June.

December 8, 1942

Camden Courier-Post * February 17, 1944

Newfoundland American Club
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