Joseph Leslie Masters passed away in Brandon, MS on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at the age of 100. Joe was born in Tranquility, NJ on November 29, 1918, but was a resident of Jackson, MS, for nearly all his adult life.
During World War II, Joe was a Master Sergeant in the 320th Bombardment Group of the Army Air Corp. He was in every major campaign from North Africa through Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica and then through France and Germany under Patton's 7th Army Group.
The 320th Bombardment Group received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for action in preparation for and in support of Allied offensive operations in central Italy, April–June 1944. It was the first such citation to be awarded to an American unit by the provisional French government in World War II. The unit also received a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for a mission on 12 May 1944 when, in the face of an intense antiaircraft barrage, the group bombed enemy troop concentrations near Fondi in support of the U.S. Fifth Army's advance toward Rome.
Stationed in Germany at the war's conclusion, Joe returned to Jackson in 1945 to raise a family with his wife Vola. The couple had three children, Barbara, Jodi and Joe Jr. Joe was an avid fisherman and golfer. He was also a major fan of golf for his entire life.
Vola passed away in 1999, Joe Jr died in 2007 and Barbara in 2017. Joe is survived by his daughter, Jodi Levy and her husband Mike and his granddaughter Leslie Sargent and her husband Bob. He is also survived by his close friends Bill and Pat Harlon, and his loyal dachshund companion, Buddy.
He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
From Jodi: We extend our heartfelt thanks and love to Bill and Pat Harlon, Dr. May and his staff, Eddie and Sherri Griffin and with special thanks to Natajha Jackson, Douglas McField and April from Hospice Care for taking special care of my father.
There will be a visitation at Wright Ferguson Funeral Home in Clinton, MS at noon on May 3rd, with 2:00 graveside services at Lakewood Cemetery in Jackson, MS.