Joseph A. Jordan

July 27, 2010

Joseph A. Jordan, 88, a resident of Claymont, Del., died at home Tuesday, July 27, 2010. Mr. Jordan was born in Pittston on October 11, 1921. In August, 1942, he began three years of distinguished service with the U.S. Army Air Corps. On December 18, 1944, while on a bombing mission over Dresden, Sgt. Jordan's B-17 Flying Fortress sustained enemy fire from ground artillery. The disabled aircraft made it to Budapest, Hungary, where Sgt. Jordan was forced to parachute to safety. Missing in action for two weeks, he was evacuated to a military hospital near his base in Foggia, Italy. He was cited for heroic efforts in combat shortly thereafter. For more than 20 years, he held senior positions with RCA Victor. His role with RCA took a unique direction in 1951 when he became part of a company engineering team that traveled to Berlin to set up the first television signal towers, enabling the nation's first TV station to get on the air. Working under the company president, retired General David Sarnoff, the group's mission drew international news coverage since many of its members had fought against the enemy on German soil a few years before. He later established the Jordan Television and Appliance Co., retiring in 1999. Mr. Jordan is survived by a sister, Mary Clark, of Pittston; seven children; 11 grandchildren; as well as six great-grandchildren. Friends may call at 11 a.m. Friday at St. John the Evangelist Church, William Street, Pittston. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at noon by Monsignor John W. Jordan, Washington, D.C., a cousin. Burial will follow at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Cemetery, 35 William St., Pittston. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Nativity Miguel Network of Schools, 900 Varnum St., NE, Washington, D.C. 20017. Arrangements are being handled by the Doherty Funeral Homes of Wilmington, Del. For condolences, please visit www.dohertyfh.com .