Joseph C. Clifton
Joseph Clinton Clifton | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Jumping Joe |
Born | Paducah, Kentucky | October 31, 1908
Died | December 24, 1967 Santa Monica, California | (aged 59)
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1930–1963 |
Rank | Rear admiral |
Commands held | Fighter Squadron 12 Air Group 12 Wasp (CV-18) Transport Squadron 8 Corson (AVP-37) Carrier Division 7 |
Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Legion of Merit (2) Air Medal Distinguished Service Order (UK) |
Joseph C. Clifton (October 31, 1908 – December 24, 1967) was a naval officer and
before his retirement in 1963.Biography
Clifton was born in Paducah, Kentucky. He attended the University of Kentucky in 1926 and graduated from the United States Naval Academy, where he was an All-Eastern fullback, in 1930. Clifton was assigned to the battleship Tennessee (BB-43) and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1932.[1]
He served with a number of ships and flying squadrons, including the
In 1944, Clifton was named Commander of Air Group 12, which combined air groups from HMS Illustrious and Saratoga.[1] He led the joint British-American air attack force during the Operation Cockpit raid on Sabang.
In 1945, he was officer-in-charge of fighter indoctrination in Advanced Training, at Naval Air Station, Green Cove Springs, Florida. In 1945–46, he was executive officer and then commanding officer of Wasp (CV-18).[1]
Clifton was assigned to the Air Warfare Division Office from 1946 to 1949, and the Fleet Logistics Support Wing, Pacific Area, 1949. He was the commander of Transport Squadron 8, 1948–51,
Clifton was deputy chief of staff training and Staff Commander, Air Forces, Pacific Fleet, 1952–53; attended the Naval War College Class of 1954;
After retirement, he became associated with
Clifton died following complications from diabetes on Christmas Eve, 1967, in Santa Monica, California.[2]
Clifton's life is commemorated with a street bearing his name in his hometown of Paducah, Kentucky.[4]
Awards
For his service in World War II, Clifton was awarded the
He was named to the University of Kentucky Hall of Distinguished Alumni in February 1965,[1] and to the Naval Aviation Hall of Honor in 1996.
Joseph C. Clifton Award
The Joseph C. Clifton Trophy was awarded for the first time in 1968, to VF-51. The award recognizes meritorious achievement by a fighter squadron while deployed aboard a carrier.
- The award is in memory of Rear Admiral Clifton, who distinguished himself as a fighter pilot during World War II. His heroism and extraordinary achievements in flight paralleled the aggressive attitude and drive and inspiring leadership he displayed throughout his life. This award recognizes meritorious achievement by a fighter squadron. The trophy, sponsored by Litton Industries, is a 22-inch high hand repoussé silver bowl on a walnut base.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "University of Kentucky Alumni Association : Joseph Clinton Clifton". ukalumni.net. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Market House Museum : The Naval Career of "Jumpin" Joe Clifton". markethousemuseum.com. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
- ^ Naval War College Register of Officers 1884-1979
- ^ "Joe Clifton Drive". Google Maps. 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ "OPNAVINST 1650.24B: Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Related Awards" (PDF). combatindex.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 20, 2004. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
External links
- "AIR: From the Snare of the Fowler", TIME, July 10, 1944
- Joseph Clinton Clifton Papers, 1926-1971 MS 204 held by Special Collection & Archives Archived 2014-10-18 at the Wayback Machine, Nimitz Library Archived 2014-10-18 at the Wayback Machine at the United States Naval Academy Archived 2016-09-06 at the Wayback Machine