Joseph Thomas Bitzko

BITZKO, Joseph T., Lt. Col Ret., AF, age 90, of Centerville, passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2012. Joseph was born on September 25, 1921 in Franklin Borough to the late Thomas and Mary "nee" Sokol Bitzko. Preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Irene Mitroka in 2010; sisters, Mary Paladino, Ann Morris, Martha DeNeve, Eva Bitzko, and Julia Foley; and brothers, Charles, John, Nicholas, and Michael C. Bitzko. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Donna Marie, and numerous nieces, nephews, and relatives. Joseph enlisted in the C.C.C in 1940 and stationed at Camp N.P. #3, Shenandoah National Park, Elkton, VA. He entered military active duty on August 17, 1942 and was then commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the USAAC in February of 1944 in Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM. Joseph then went overseas in July of that year and was Squadron Bombardier-Navigator with the 86th Squadron, 47th Bomb Group, 12th AF, Italy where he completed 68 combat missions over Italy, France and Germany. He was one of the original founders and member of Sgt. Michael Strank, V.F.W Post in Franklin Borough and held office of Vice Commander and served as a trustee for several years. Joe recalled to active duty during the Korean War as a Clinical Laboratory Officer. His assignments were Air Force hospitals located in Omaha, NE; Washington, D.C; Burderop Park, England; Dayton, OH; and Wiesbaden, Germany. His last laboratory assignment was at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. Joe retired after 28 years of active duty on August 1, 1970. The deceased officer was a 1940 graduate of Franklin Borough High School. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1949 and a Master of Science Degree in 1950 from the University of Pittsburgh. Lt. Col Bitzko attended University of Wisconsin, Madison from 1953-1955 for post-graduate work. He completed Air War College in 1968 in Wiesbaden, Germany and received his Secondary Teaching Certification from University of Dayton in 1974. As a teacher, he taught sciences and math in the Dayton and Montgomery Public School System. Joe received faculty appointment at Wright State University in July 1977 as Director of Chemistry Laboratories. He later retired from Wright State University in 1992 after 15 years of services. The late Lt. Col. Bitzko held these decoration and awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with three Oak Leak Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Presidential Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Oak Leaf Clusters, European Theater of Operation Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Medal with one Bronze Star, and the WWII Victory Medal, and other decorations. Burial will be held at Arlington Cemetery with full Military Honors.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429