Decorated veteran Joe Lahargoue fought in three wars as fighter pilot

Joseph was the first of three sons born to Andre and Irene Lahargoue of Lemoore. Joe graduated from Lemoore High School in 1937, and in 2009 he was inducted into the Lemoore Union High School Hall of Fame for the class of 1937. Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. in 1939 and soon after that became a decorated fighter pilot.

Lahargoue also attended the 2011 Lemoore High School 110-year birthday party held in downtown Lemoore.

The active former fighter pilot has been living in Arizona for many years and was a key contributor to the military memorial located at the front of the Lemoore High School Event Center and honors those soldiers and sailors who died in the service of their country. Lahargoue had several friends who died during World War II.

He remained in the service until 1969, after flying his final mission over Vietnam. Joe served in WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam before retiring in 1969 after 30 years of service.

Joe was predeceased by his parents, his wife Ann, his wife Jeanne, his son Joseph Lahargoue, brothers George Lahargoue and Andy Lahargoue. He is survived by his sons Rob Lahargoue (Mesa, Arizona) and Jerry Lahargoue (Tucson, Arizona) and several grandchildren. Joe is also survived by Nieces Judy Lotton, Terry Fredrick, and Diana Lahargoue and nephews Gary Lahargoue and George Lahargoue.