Times Union "Mother of Slain War Hero Gets U.S. Award"
Photograph Hero's Medals Awarded
Posthumous awards were presented yesterday to Mrs. Mary McGrath, 2171 Fourteenth Street, Troy, mother of 2nd Lt. John F. McGrath, Marine Corps Reser killed in action late in 1945.
Mrs, McGrath accepted the awards in Leonard hospital, Troy, where she has been confined since November 28 [1949], the result of a fractured hip.
Marine Maj. Thomas C. Dutton in charge of the Marine Corps Recruiting station in Albany presented the awards on behalf of President Truman, the Secretary of the Navy and the commandant of the Marine Corps.
The Awards include Distinguished flying Cross, Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Gold Stars in lieu of the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth Air Medals with citation by the President. The citations for the awards read:
'For heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as pilot of a fighter plane in Marine Fight Squadron Two Hundred Twelve [VMF-212] during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands area during the year 1945.'
'Completing forth [forty?] combat missions during this period, Second Lieutenant McGrath contributed materially to the success of his squadron despite enemy opposition. His airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.'
Lt. McGrath was the nephew of Patrolman Edward Rafferty, attached to the Albany Detective bureau."
Credit: Times Union staff photo by Burns Date: January 17, 1950
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