JOSLYN, 2nd Lt. Harper Smyth

JOSLYN, GAMBELL

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/22/2013 at 11:07:40

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
October 31, 1944, Page 12

CLEAR LAKE BRIEFS

Dr. and Mrs. A. A. JOSLYN received a cablegram Monday from their son, Ensign Harper JOSLYN, saying that he is safe and well and plans to write. He is believed to be vacationing in Australia.

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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Friday, March 24, 1945, Page 7

Lt. (j.G.) HARPER S. JOSLYN
IS REPORTED MISSING IN FLIGHT

Naval Aviation Pilot Has Been Overseas Since January, 1943

Clear Lake - Dr. and Mrs. A. A. JOSLYN, 515 E. Main street, received a message Thursday afternoon from Washington, D.C., staing that their son, Lt. (j. G.) Harper S. JOSLYN, is missing The full text of the message follows:

"The navy department deeply regrets to inform you that your son, Lt. (j. g.) Harper Smyth JOSLYN, U. S. N. R., is mising in plane flight while in the performance of duty and in the service of his country. The department appreciates your great anxiety but details are not now available and delay in receipt thereof must necessarily be expected. To prevent possible aid in our enemies please do not divulge the name of his ship or station. Vice Admiral Randall JACOBS, chief of naval personnel."

Lieutenant JOSLYN enlisted in the navy early in 1942 and began training at Wold-Chamberlain field, Minneapolis, Feb. 14, 1942. From there he was sent to New Orleans, La., and then to Pensacola, Fla. In December of the same year he was graduated from the naval air base at Corpus Christi, Texas, with the rank of ensign and received his wings, having credit for 310 flying hours. He then was assigned overseas duty.

Last June he was in San Francisco, Cal., for a short time but was unable to get a leave to come home. In November his parents had word that he had been wounded in action, being struck on the right side of the head by a machine gun bullet while in the south Pacific. For this he was awarded the Purple Heart. After a period of hospitalization he returned to duty. A letter written Jun. 20 stated he had been given a short vacation and had been promoted from the rank of ensign to that of lieutenant, junior grade. His work was that of a naval aviation pilot.

Just a few weeks ago Dr. and Mrs. JOSLYN received word from their son advising them not to send him any more mail. They have since been expecting him to arrive home any day.

Lieutenant JOSLYN was born and reared in Clear Lake and graduated from the local high school. He attended the University of Iowa, Iowa City, a year and then was employed by the Sears Construction compnay for some time before entering the service.

Lieutenant JOSLYN has 2 sisters, Mrs. Ray GAMBELL, Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Miss Alberta JOSLYN, student at the University of Iowa; and a brother, Tom, at home.

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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Wednesday, May 31, 1944, Page 4

Lt. H. Joslyn's Name Omitted by Mistake

Clear Lake - The name of Lt. (j. g.) Harper JOSLYN was inadvertantly omitted in Tuesday's paper from the list of servicemen from Clear Lake who met disaster during the past year. Lt. JOSLYN was reported "missing in plane flight" March 23 of this year and no further information has been obtained. He is the eldest son of Dr. and Mrs. A. A. JOSLYN, 315 E. Main street.

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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Wednesday, December 27, 1944, Page 13

BOMBING SQUADRON GETS PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION

Lt. Harper S. Joslyn in Group
Praised by Franklin D. Roosevelt

Clear Lake - Dr. and Mrs. A. A. JOSLYN, 315 E. Main street, have received a copy of the Presidential Unit Citation presented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Bombing Squadron 104 of which their son, Lt. (j. g.) Harper JOSLYN, reported missing in plane flight, April 24, 1944, was a member.

The citation reads:

"For outstanding performance above the normal call of duty while engaged in reconnaissance and serach missions in the most forward areas of Japanese controlled territory in the south Pacific from Aug. 15, 1943, to March, 1944. Rendering pioneer service in changing the passive, defensive search into a daring and powerful offensive, Bombing Squadron 104 has utilized to the full the potentialities of the PB4Y and its equipment, striking at enemy task force units and initiating the hazardous masthead bombing attack to insure direct hits on the target.

"Patrolling approximately 125,000 miles daily regardless of weather and frequently extending the search radius beyond specified sector limits in order to harass the enemy and intercept shipping, this gallant force typifies individual responsiblity in the collective efforts of a combat group, unique in its tactics and in the comprehnsiveness of its service. Dauntless and aggressive in the fulfillment of each assignment, the pilots and crews of Bombing Squadron 104 have inflicted substantial damage on hostile ships and installations and have provided information of inestimable value to our forces in their sustained drive against the Japanese in this vital area."

The citation was signed "For the President, James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy."

Lt. JOSLYN enlisted in the navy early in 1941 and was graduated in December from the naval air base at Corpus Christi, Texas, with the rank of ensign and received his wings. He soon had an overseas assignment as naval aviation pilot and continued in active duty from then on. In November, 1943, he was wounded on the head by a machine gun bullet and for this received the Purple Heart decoration.

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2013

Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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