Memorial

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2nd Lt Joseph R. Farley attended Atlantic Christian College.

He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Jacksonville, Florida on 6 January 1942.

2nd Lt Farley was flying Blue 4 on a bomber escort mission into northwest Germany. After leaving the bombers, and while on the way home, the squadron went on a sweep, searching for ground targets. They were flying at about 1,500 feet. Near Bielefeld, light flak and ground fire was concentrated on the squadron. The squadron leader called to hit the deck. The squadron immediately broke down, taking violent evasive action, resulting in the break-up of the formation. Upon reforming, 2nd Lt Farley was missing. Lt Tumlin, his element leader, attempted to contact 2nd Lt Farley, but received no reply. Lt Carbonneau heard someone say his tail was hit. This was apparently 2nd Lt Farley, although it cannot be said definitely that it was.

The plane was hit by flak and crashed on the south end of the airfield of Loddenheide, on the rails of the freight railroad.

He was initially buried at the POW Cemetery of Haus Spital, near Münster on 30 May 1944.

On the third picture, he is seen holding a trophy for winning the Florida State Model Airplane Meet on 18 June 1938.