Pilot History
Dougherty earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Air Medal. When lost on July 4, 1944 He earned the Purple Heart (posthumously).

Aircraft History
Built by Grumman. Assigned to the U. S. Navy to the USS Wasp (CV-18) to squadron VF-14 "Iron Eagles". No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On July 4, 1944 took off from the USS Wasp (CV-18) on a fighter sweep over Iwo Jima. Over the target, the formation was intercepted by A6M5 Zero from the 301 Kōkūtai. Likely, this Hellcat was shot down by an intercepting A6M5 Zeros. When Dougherty failed to return he was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was F6F 43041.

Memorials
Dougherty was officially declared dead on February 4, 1946. He is memorialized at the Honolulu Memorial in the courts of the missing, court 5 at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). Dougherty also has a memorial marker at Highland Memorial Cemetery in Mount Carmel, IL.

References
Kodochosho, 301 Kōkūtai, July 4, 1944
AAIR - USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List July 1944 pilot incorrectly listed as Dougherton [sic]
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph H. Dougherty
FindAGrave - Ens Joseph H Dougherty (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - Joseph H. Dougherty (memorial marker)

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Last Updated
February 4, 2018