John I. Forgey

Source: Find A Grave

Throckmorton, Oklahoma

Funeral services for Lt. John Irwin Forgey were held Wednesday afternoon at 3:00pm in the Presbytarian Church.

Members of the Ennis Irwin post of the American Legion were in charge of the military services at the church and the cemetery.

Lt. Forgey, the only child of Mrs. E. F. Hozeska (the former Velma Irwin), was born near Lawton, Oklahoma on August 29, 1921 and was killed February 1st, 1945 on Mindoro Island, Philippines.

As a child, he lived for several years in Albany where he attended school but he spent most of his life in the north. Where ever he went, he was always known as "Texas."

Lt. Forgey joined the Army Air Force on March 17, 1943 and trained in California. He received his wings and commission at Williams Field, Arizona on January 3, 1944. He left for overseas duty on May 31, 1944.

He was a member of the famous 49ers and was piloting a P-38 when he was killed. He made 40 flying missions received three Presidential Citations, three Air Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Purple Heart.

Lt. Forgey was the grandson of the late John C. Irwin and Annie Irwin of Albany; a nephew of the late Ennis Irwin, who gave his life in World War 1 and for whom the local post was named.

Burial was in Throckmorton Cemetery under the direction of Merriman Funeral Home.