Lt. John H. Maloney Among Heroic Dead Returned Home-This Day In Norwood History-August 13, 1948

Paratrooper Killed In Philippines Was Prominent Norwood Athlete

Second Lieutenant John H Maloney, Jr, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John H Maloney of 38 George Street, who was killed in action at Leyte December 7, 1944, is among the 3,961 Americans who lost their lives in the Pacific area now being returned to this country aboard the U, S. Army Transport Dalton Victory.

The arrival of the vessel, bearing the remains of war heroes who are being brought back from temporary military cemeteries in the Philippine Islands, will be announced by the San Francisco Port of Embarkation. Eighty-three of Massachusetts’s deceased servicemen are aboard the ship.

Lt. Maloney met death on the third anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor while taking part in the final American assault that broke enemy resistance at Lyte. He had been overseas for nine month’s at the time of his death, and before entering the Philippine campaign was stationed at New Guinea. He was 26 years of age.

He had been in the Army two and a half years, serving with the Air Force, the tank destroyers and then transferring to the Paratroopers. He received his commission in June, 1943 at Camp Hood, Texas.

An only son, the deceased hero was born and brought up in Norwood, graduating from Norwood High School with the Class of 1936. He studied for two years at Holy Cross before transferring to Boston College, where he was graduated. A prominent athlete, he played baseball and football at Norwood High School, and was on the baseball and basketball teams at Holy Cross. He was widely known in semi-pro baseball circles

In addition to his parents he leaves four sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Garner, Mrs. Gertrude Quirk, Mrs Robert Healing and Miss Franchi Maloney.

(All articles originally appeared in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)