Greenville's First Flying Fatality - Joseph Dixon Molloy

Less than six months after training operations began at Greenville Army Flying School and with the war effort increasing, it was seemingly inevitable that training operations would claim the lives of those preparing to fight the war.  The first to lose his life in pilot training at Greenville was Aviation Cadet Joseph Dixon Molloy.   

Cadet Molloy was killed the morning of 21 May 1942 when he lost control of his BT-13 while returning from a cross country flight.  His aircraft crashed one mile east of Boyle, MS.  He perished on his 24th birthday and left behind his wife, Jeanne Alda (Curran) Molloy (later Jeanne Alda Fogler).

*Approximate location of crash site

Cadet J D Molloy killed in crash Thu, May 21, 1942 – Page 1 · The Delta Democrat-Times (Greenville, Mississippi) · Newspapers.com

Born 21 May 1918, in Ansonia, CT, Joseph was the second oldest of eight siblings born to David John Molloy and Catherine Cecilia (Lucas) Comerford.  Three of Joseph's brothers also served in the military during WWII.  

Youngest brother William enlisted in the Army in 1950 at the age of 16.   He was discharged at the age of 17 after his actual age became known.  After turning 18 years old, he reenlisted in the Army with intentions of joining the airborne infantry.

Vet 17 Rejoins Military Unit Sat, Aug 18, 1951 – Page 37 · The Bridgeport Telegram (Bridgeport, Connecticut) · Newspapers.com