Joseph Floyd Hungerford

Mr. Joseph Floyd "Bee" Hungerford, 87, of Biloxi, MS, died Saturday, April 26, 2008, in Biloxi. Mr. Hungerford was born in Gueydan, LA, to Albert and Matilda Hungerford and had been a longtime resident of Biloxi. After elementary school at St. Theresa he attended Sacred Heart. Following graduation he worked at Keesler Field as a carpenter until he enlisted in the U. S. Navy. Following flight school in Dallas and Corpus Christi, he was assigned to the USS Yorktown (II), which was known for being in the thick of 11 major battles which turned the tide of war in the Pacific. His aerial tenacity as a dive-bomber pilot was quickly recognized in the battle of the Carolinas, around Truk, where they destroyed 35 Japanese ships and downed 260 aircraft. His missions included attacks on three enemy ships. As a division commander, he led attacks on Okinawa before and during the invasion. The battle for Saipan followed, adding another Battle Star. His division was transferred to the USS Shangri La for the upcoming invasion of Japan. Going into Tokyo Bay, his plane was hit repeatedly by anti-aircraft fire. He continued his run on the pride of the Japanese Navy, released his bombs and turned for home. On the next mission, as he entered Tokyo Bay, the Japanese had surrendered. He was the third pilot to land on Japanese soil, just behind General McArthur's plane. One of his fond memories was using the stern of the USS Biloxi as a marker for turning his plane to land on the carrier. Among local WW II Veterans, "Bee" is recognized as one of the most heroic of that war, having earned the Navy Cross, and released in 1945 with the rank of Lt. Commander. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and worked at Keesler Air Force Base as a carpenter until his retirement from the hospital maintenance department. Mr. Hungerford was preceded in death by his grandsons, Joshua Newman and Jerrod Thompson, six sister, seven brothers, and his son-in-law, Richard Giraud. Survivors include his wife, Edna Lowery Hungerford of Biloxi; daughters, Elizabeth Giraud, Janice Saucier and her husband, Ethridge, and Sandra Thompson and her husband, Neal, all of Biloxi; son, Billy Dodson and his wife, Novaline, of Biloxi; eleven grandchildren, Tracy Parker, Billy Jo Dodson, Bronwyn Dodson, Brett Dodson, Rachel Nichols, Robin Giraud, Courtney Lowell, Joey Newman, Lindsey Newman, Ashton Newman and Brittany Thompson; seven great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, May 2, 2008, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church where friends may visit from 9 a. m. until service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.