World War II Honoree

Michael T. Minasian

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Pontiac, Michigan

Honored By

Kim Hawes

Relationship

Daughter

SERVED AS THE NAVIGATOR ABOARD A B-24 BOMBER WITH THE 464TH BOMBER GROUP, 778TH SQUADRON. PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN ON D-DAY WHILE ON A BOMBING MISSION OVER THE PLOESTI OIL FIELDS IN ROMANIA. PARACHUTED TO SAFETY, BUT WAS CAPTURED AND INTERNED IN A ROMANIAN PRISON CAMP UNTIL AUGUST 1944. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL AND THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE.