DOB/DOD: February 17, 1922 (Norwalk, CT) – November 26, 1945; 23 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 7 Lorena Street
ENLISTMENT: January 3, 1944
SERVICE NUMBER: 31409141
UNIT: Battery A, 337th Field Artillery Battalion, 88th Infantry Division
FAMILY: Born to Joseph F. Sr. (1876-1968) and Johanna Hartigan McQuillan (1883-1974). One sister, Eleanor G. McQuillan Gombos (1917-1985). Two brothers, Vincent J. (1919-2000) and James (1920-2000). Both brothers were also Army veterans.
DECORATIONS: Awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Private McQuillan died six months after the war in Europe ended. Cause of death officially listed as “Non-Battle.” The hospital record shows him being admitted and discharged in a field hospital in November 1945 for “Furuncle (boil) in buttock and hip; Septicemia (blood poisoning caused by bacteria), unspecified, and edema of the lung.”
Norwalk High School Class of ’40
From the Connecticut Military Portrait Collection, Connecticut State Library, Identifier: PG570; used with permission
From The Norwalk Hour December 17, 1945
Word was received here Saturday night of the death of PFC Joseph Frederick McQuillan Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. McQuillan, 7 Lorena Street, who died on November 26 in Italy, where he was serving with the United States Army. The War Department, which sent a telegram to the McQuillans notifying them of the passing of their son, said that a letter would follow, explaining the circumstances in detail. Joseph, who was well-known in this city, entered the Army in January 1944 and transferred overseas in July 1944 after receiving his training at Camp Blanding, Florida. The local youth served with the 88th Infantry Division, which figured prominently in the Italian campaign, which ended with the surrender of the German forces holding the north of Italy. He was a graduate of Norwalk High School, Class of 1940, and prior to entering the service had been employed by Edwards and Company, a Connecticut Avenue manufacturing concern. Besides his parents, he is survived by two brothers, James and Vincent McQuillan, and a sister, Miss Eleanor G. McQuillan. James McQuillan, who had served in the Army since August 1942, received his discharge on Thursday of last week. Vincent McQuillan, who had been in the service since May 1942, received his discharge from the Army in September of this year.
Private McQuillan is buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 15 Broad Street, Norwalk, Connecticut; Section C. Photo by webmaster.
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