Noel Joseph Denoux, Sr.

Noel Joseph Denoux, Sr. age 89, of Gulfport, died Tuesday, June 1, 2010 in Biloxi. He was born in Donaldsonville, LA and had been a resident of Gulfport for six months moving here from New Orleans. He was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church in New Orleans. Mr. Denoux joined the service September 20, 1939 and on December 7, 1941 he was a radioman 3/cUSN serving on destroyer USS Mugford (DD-389). The Mugford splashed three Jap planes on this day! After recruit training and radio school NTS Norfolk, VA, he served in the Atlantic Fleet on the USS New York (BB-34) and USS Decatur (DD-341) in the East Coast and Caribbean Areas, and on USA-NAS New Orleans. In Pacific Fleet he served on USS Mugford in the Hawaiian, Tasman Sea, Coral Sea and Philippine Sea areas. Motor torpedo base USN 144-Cairns, Austraila; Motor torpedo base USN Six-New Guinea Area; Motor Squadron Eight-New Guinea Area; Motor Squardon Thirty-Two-Okinawa Area. He achieved the rank of chief Radioman and his memorable experience includes the Battle for Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal-Tulagi Landings and Okinawa operations. He was awarded the Good Conduct medal with three Bronze Stars, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, American Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, and the World War II Victory Medal. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elsie L. Denoux of Gulfport; a son, Noel J. Denoux, Jr. and his wife, Sharon of Gulfport; a grandson, Jeremy Denoux; and four sisters, Ann Theriot, Zoe Rivet, Kate Politz, and Lucy Diaz . The funeral service is Monday, June 7, 2010 at 11:15 a.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport where friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until the service. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com