Lieut. Joel H. McClendon, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. McClendon, of Farmers Branch, Texas, was born in Waxahachie April 21, 1890. He was educated in the North Texas Normal and at the State University. Volunteered for service on May 22, 1917.  He was sent to Chanute Field for training and assigned to the 88th Aero Squadron.  Went overseas in November, 1917. Participated in the battles of the Marne, at Chateau Thierry and at Fismes. Was promoted to First Lieutenant. He was killed in action near Fismes. He with eight others were cited for bravery and received that D.S.C.  Extract from citation follows: "Lieutenants McClendon and Plummer were shot down and killed after a vigorous combat with five of the enemy's planes. The body of Lieutenant McClendon was buried at Chieery, a small village near Chateau Thierry, with the due military honors.  The date of his death was August 11, 1918. Was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross after death."

The body of Joel H. McClendon, son of H. W. McClendon, will be buried at Farmers Branch at 3:00 Sunday, August 7, 1921.
Mr. McClendon Attended school at Farmers Branch and Carrollton before attending Law School at Austin.  He was one of the first to enlist from that section. He was connected with the Aviation and was killed in an aeroplane combat.
He was apt, steady and businesslike.  A bright, fruitful career seemed ahead of him until he dropped his aspirations and flew to the call of American homes and ideas for defenders.
In the fatal air battle one American photographing plane accompanied by three scout protectors were caught by twelve German.  The ground artillerymen reported that Joel was seen to drop in the pit, apparently shot, and his observer endeavored to lift him out and right the machine but the tumble to earth could not be stopped. One of the other pilots was shot and was dead when his machine alighted just inside the lines, but Joel's mechanician who was one of the first to reach his machine, said it was a total wreck, both occupants being dead and not a bone of Joel's body but what appeared to the crushed and broken.
The body arrived at Dallas Tuesday but has been held there at the residence of A. L. Coffman, a brother-in-law, until Sunday.

The Carrollton Chronicle - Friday, August 5, 1921
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

MILITARY FUNERAL WILL BE HELD FOR JOEL H. McCLENDON

The body of Lieut. Joe H. McClendon, D.S.C., who was killed in France, Aug. 11, 1918, will be buried with military honors by the American Legion at Farmers Branch Sunday afternoon. The procession will leave the home of his sister, Mrs. A. L. Coffman, 1010 North Zang's Boulevard at 2 o'clock. The services will be conducted by the Rev. Glean L. Snead, chaplain of Oak Cliff Post. Judge Felix D. Robertson will deliver the funeral oration. The body was received in Dallas by the Ed C. Smith Undertaking Company on Tuesday.
Lieutenant McClendon was born at Waxahachie and was 27 years old at the time of his death. He enlisted in the air service may 21, 1917 while in the  Texas University School of Law and after completing this ground course at Austin received his commission and was sent to France during December 1917. On Aug. 11, 1918 he was detailed for protection on a important photographic mission over the enemy lines and while returning his plane and the three other American planes were attacked by twelve enemy planes. Lieutenant McClendon was forced out of the formation and engaged by five of the hostile machines. After a vigorous combat he was shot down and killed.
He is survived by his sister, Mrs. Coffman, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. McClendon and Mrs. J. J. Lively, a sister, all of Dallas and one other sister, Miss Pauline McClendon of Denison.

The Dallas Morning News - August 7, 1921
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

Joel H McClendon Buried
The burial of the remains of Joel H. McClendon at Farmers Branch last Sunday was carried out with the Legion's appropriate ceremony and with a large crowd in attendance. The services had to be held outside of the house. Many from other towns attended. Judge Felix D. Robertson delivered address.

The Carrollton Chronicle - Friday, August 12, 1921
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

Veterans to Be Buried in Memorial Cemetery

Four World War veterans will be reburied in the American Legion plot in Forest Lawn Burial Park at 12:30 o'clock Monday afternoon, May 30, Decoration Day. A. H. Kiese, who has charge of the arrangements, announced. These are Bruce Francis Frazier, Reynold T. Smith, Leroy Evans and John W. Low, the first Dallas man to fall in action in the war.
The body of First Lieutenant Joel H. McClendon, of the Eighty-Eight Aero Squadron, who was killed in an aerial combat at Fismes, France, on Aug 11, 1918, was placed in the plot Wednesday.

The Dallas Morning News - May 15, 1927
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

JOEL H
MCCLENDON
TEXAS
1st LIEUT AIR CORP
AUGUST 11, 1915
D S C
KILLED IN AERIAL COMBAT AT FISMAS FRANCE

Forest Lawn Cemetery, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas