Broz, Joseph G., 1898-1982
Dates
- Existence: 1898-1982
- Existence: 1898-11-30 - 1982-12-13
Biography
Joseph G. Broz was born in St. Louis on November 30, 1898 to Charles Broz and Frances Suchey, Czechoslovakian immigrants. On April 29, 1917, Broz was inducted into the Aviation Section of the Army Signal Corps at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis. He was a founding member of the 27th Aero Squadron when it was organized at Kelly Field, Texas in June 1917. In February 1918, the 27th Squadron sailed for France, and they became part of the First Pursuit Group in June 1918. Also in June, the 27th Squadron transitioned from the Aviation Section to the newly organized United States Air Force.
Broz handled “incidental engineering” for the squadron, and when the commanding officer of the 27th, Major Harold E. Hartney, was promoted to commanding officer of the First Pursuit Group, Broz accompanied him as an engineering aide. Broz continued to serve in France until the First Pursuit Group was disbanded in January 1919, but he was hospitalized for two months with actue influenza and thrombophlebitis before he could be sent home. He returned to the United States in April 1919, and he was honorably discharged on May 10, 1919.
In May 1924, Broz married Mary Josephine DeGuire. He worked as a sales manager for most of his life and moved to Milwaukee during the 1950s. Broz and his wife later returned to St. Louis, where he passed away on December 13, 1982. Broz is buried in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Fredericktown, Missouri.