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Adapted from "Lieutenant Commander Joseph Francis Deegan, Jr., U.S. Naval Reserve" [biography, dated 13 October 1959] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.

Topic
  • Operations
Document Type
  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
File Formats
Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC-Library

Joseph Francis Deegan, Jr.

19 January 1924 – [no death date]

Joseph Francis Deegan, Jr., was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, on January 19, 1924, son of Captain Joseph F. Deegan, SC, USNR, Ret., and Mrs. (Helen Murray) Deegan. He received his early education in Perth Amboy, and holds the degrees of Bachelor of Arts from the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, and Bachelor of Lawa from Boston College Law School, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. 

Enlisting in the US Naval Reserve on July 1, 1943, while in college, he reported for active duty on July 1, 1943, and had instruction until June 27, 1944, when his enlistment was terminated so that he could accept appointment as Ensign, USNR on June 27. He was promoted to Lieutenant (jg) on January 1, 1946, and was released from active duty under honorable conditions on July 4, 1947. He subsequently attained rank of Lieutenant Commander, to date from November 1, 1955. 

From June to October 1944 he was assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center, Melville, Rhode Island, for instruction. He then reported to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 25, and from January to September 1925, in the latter period of World War II, was Executive Officer of the USS PT-344. After the Japanese surrender he had a month’s duty as Boat Captain of USS PT-351, and from October to December 1945 served as Boat Captain in MTB Squadron 40. 

In December 1945 he reported to the US Naval Shipyard, Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, where he served for six months as Assistant Yard Supply Officer. In June 1946 he joined Organized Surface Battalion 3-3, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and served as Officer in Charge of USS PC-1186 until May 1947. He then reported to the US Naval Receiving Station, Brooklyn, New York, for separation processing, and was released to inactive status in the US Naval Reserve in July 1947. 

Lieutenant Commander Deegan has the Naval Reserve Medal; the American Campaign Medal; and the World War II Victory Medal.Lieutenant Commander Deegan is a member of the Raritan Yacht Club, in Perth Amboy, and of the Seaside Park Yacht Club, Seaside Park, New Jersey. In college he was Vice Commodore of his College Yacht Club and a member of the team which won the New England Inter-collegiate Yacht Racing Championship in 1943; he was awarded his college letter for Sailing. He was also News Editor of the college paper, The Tomahawk.

END 

Published: Mon Jun 15 08:37:26 EDT 2020