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National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Joseph W. Giroux

Private First Class, 1st Ordnance SquadronTinian Island

Los Alamos, NMWendover, UT
509th Composite GroupManhattan Project VeteranMilitary Veteran
Joe Giroux

Joseph W. Giroux was a Private First Class in the 1st Ordnance Squadron.

Giroux was born in Worthington in the district of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, on October 24, 1921. He moved to Michigan, where he worked as a toolmaker’s apprentice.

Giroux enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942. The following year, he completed airplane mechanics training at Keesler Field in Mississippi. In 1945, Giroux deployed with the 509th Composite Group to Tinian, where he served as an airplane mechanic and machinist. He was a member of the First Ordance Squadron, Assembly No. 2 Section.

After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1946, Giroux returned home to Michigan, where he became an automotive plant manager. He passed away on January 10, 1987 at the age of 65.

Joseph W. Giroux’s Timeline
1921 Oct 24th Born in Worthington, District of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

1930 Sep 8th Became a U.S. citizen.

1942 Oct 15th Enlisted in the U.S. Army.

1943 Nov 9th Completed his training in airplane mechanics.

1945 Jul 3rd Arrived on Tinian Island, where he served as an airplane mechanic and machinist.

1946 Jan 26th Discharged from the Army at Patterson Field, Ohio.

1987 Jan 10th Passed away in Southfield, Michigan.

Group photograph of the 1st Ordnance Squadron. Joe is third row, second from left.

Joe Giroux in a classroom photo with other soldiers.

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