SGT Joseph Patrick Ireland

High School Graduation, Mt St Joseph HS - 1942

SGT Joseph Patrick Ireland was born 24 Apr 1924 in Baltimore, Maryland the only son of Mary C. (O'Rourke) Ireland.  He was raised in the home of his maternal grandparents graduating from Saint Joseph's High School in 1942. 

Joseph did not enter the army until St. Patrick's Day 1943.  After his basic training he was sent to Europe and on 22 Jul 1944 PVT Ireland was transferred from the replacement depot to I Company 116th Infantry.  He was promoted to PFC on 14 Aug 1944.  He was again promoted on 9 Sep 1944, this time to SGT.  Joseph was wounded on 15 Sep and evacuated to hospital. He did not return to the unit until 7 Dec 1944 when he was transferred from the replacement depot. SGT Ireland was killed in action on 23 Feb 1945.

SGT Ireland was repatriated in 1948 and is buried with his mother and her parents in the New Cathedral Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.