Community Invited to Attend Honor-A-Veteran Ceremony
Schenectady County will hold an Honor-A-Veteran ceremony on Saturday, September 30, 2023 to recognize brothers John and Joseph Kehoe, who were both killed in action in Germany during WWII. Members of the public are invited to attend.
The Honor-A-Veteran program is a collaboration between Schenectady County’s Veterans Service Agency and the County’s Honor-A-Veteran Committee to honor veterans who were either born in or currently reside in Schenectady County. Members of the committee are from various veteran organizations throughout the County.
“Our Honor A Veteran program underscores the importance of never forgetting the dedicated service of our veterans, ensuring that their legacy lives on in our community’s collective memory,” said Schenectady County Legislator Holly Vellano, Chair of the Military Affairs & Veterans Committee. “We extend a heartfelt invitation to the public to join us in honoring the memory of John and Joseph Kehoe, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service during WWII.”
Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: St. Luke’s Church, 1241 State St., Schenectady, NY 12304
1LT John Kehoe
John Kehoe was born in Schenectady and attended Draper High School. He entered the Army Air Corps as a private on January 9, 1942, a month after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. John entered the Aviation pre-flight school at Santa Ana in California, graduated from primary training school at King City, completed Basic Training at Lamore Army flying school, and received his wings and Commission as a Second Lieutenant at Williams Field in Chandler, Arizona.
Assigned to the 669th Squadron of the 416th Bomber Group as the pilot of a B26 Tactical Bomber, John Kehoe was killed in action on Christmas morning in 1944. First Lieutenant Kehoe, who is buried in the Luxemburg American Cemetery, received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Air Medal with two Oak Clusters, and a Purple Heart Medal.
PFC Joseph Kehoe
Joseph Kehoe was born in Troy and attended Draper High School. He entered the Army as a private on April 16, 1942 at Camp Cooke, California, and went to Basic Training at Fort Knox in Kentucky. Joseph attended Desert Training in California and was an honor graduate of the Engineering School at Atlanta, Georgia.
Assigned to the 44th Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division, Joseph was killed in action in Germany on February 9, 1945 and is buried next to his brother John at the Luxemburg American Cemetery. PFC Joseph received the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal.
Learn more about Schenectady County’s Honor-a-Veteran Program at www.schenectadycountyny.gov/veterans.
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