Joseph W. Lucki

MEDALS-RIBBONS: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign w/3 Stars, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, World War II Victory, Good Conduct, American Defense

Born in 1918, Joe joined the Navy in 1936 and fought in some of the most fraught battles of the Pacific theater. Aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6), Joe demonstrated valor and courage in pivotal WWII Pacific battles. He earned the Presidential Unit Citation for the Guadalcanal Operation Watchtower campaign, driving landing craft under fire to deliver Marines to the beach. At the Battle of Midway, he was a tail gunner in the SBD Dauntless dive bomber. A staunch Catholic, the rosary he carried throughout the war is one of his family's most cherished possessions. He completed his 25-year career as a Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate training young recruits and passing on the lessons of war at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA. Joe spoke Polish as his first language and was as proud of his Polish heritage as he was of being a first-generation American. Joe died of natural causes in 2009; this memorial is a tribute from his loving family.