Age 96, Lawton. Mr. Long died March 17 at his residence. As an Eighth Air Force Flying Fortress gunner, former Staff Sgt. Joe Long Jr. earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for meritorious achievement on more than a score of combat missions. A former West Easton, Pennsylvania, resident, he also received the Air Medal with 3 Oak Clusters, the Bronze Star and the Silver Star. His complete history is on YouTube by searching Joe Long World War 2 Hero'. The video details his service with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942. The Canadians presented him with four medals, one of them 10 times, and the Queen of England awarded him the George Medal and a Knighthood for his service to the House of Essex. Joe was born January 26, 1914 in Bethlehem to Otto and Julia Long. He attended Holy Ghost Grade School and moved to West Easton. He worked at Bethlehem Steel after his military service. He was married to Grace Marie Zimmerman who predeceased him. His son, Joseph Arthur Long, died at age 22 in a scuba rescue attempt. Joe lived in Oklahoma and has many relatives in the Lehigh Valley. His cousin Madeleine Long,MD did his video and has his WW II scrapbook detailing his missions and letters of commendation. She can be reached at 610- 408-0791. He is survived locally by his adopted family, Margaret Allen; her son, Scott Powell and his wife Jody and their two children, Makayla and Kacie Allen.