Joseph Lewis Nagy was born in Cresent, Ohio on November 16,1916. Joseph, died Friday March 16, 2012 at the Parkside Manor in Stuart, NE.



His father owned a store that served the mining community. At age 12 he moved with his family to Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from John Marshall High school in a class of 432 with an honor key. He attended Ohio State University for two years then worked in the civil service department in Washington D.C. until 1941 when he entered the US Army. He attended flying cadet school in Midland, Texas and received his officer's Insignia, as a bombardier. He was assigned overseas to the middle east theatre. Joseph flew 39 missions. He participated in the first raid on Ploesti Oil Refineries, which was a volunteer low level attack in which 200 liberators took part. And consisted of 2000 men. This raid was designed to deplete the gasoline and oil supply which in turn would shorten the war and save lives. Captain Nagy was wounded over Messina Harbor, Sicily and received the Purple Heart. For other engagements he received the Silver Star Air medal with thirteen clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.



After returning to the states, he was assigned to the Harvard Air Force Base in Harvard, Nebraska, as Staff Bombadier. Captain Nagy met his bride, Violette Bernice Rodocker, there. They were married June 11, 1944. Daughter Linda Joy was born in Hastings, Nebraska. A year later the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio . Daniel Joseph was born in Cleveland. .Joseph attended Fenn College in the Engineering Division and was employed by the City of Cleveland as Superintendent of Water Pollution Control. He retired after 35 years of service to the city.



Joseph wrestled, played football and track in High School. He played class A baseball in Cleveland. He also played summer base ball with Purdum and Halsey teams for several years.