World War II Honoree

Alexander J. Minalga

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Shirley, Massachusetts

Honored By

Charles B. Church III

ENTERED THE UNITED STATES ARMY FROM CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS IN 1940. BASIC TRAINING AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA. ASSIGNED TO THE 2ND ARMORED DIVISION, 17TH COMBAT ENGINEERS. SAW COMBAT IN THE INVASION OF TUNISIA, NORTH AFRICA. LATER SENT TO ENGLAND AND THEN TO THE INVASION OF NORMANDY ON D-DAY AT OMAHA BEACH. FOUGHT TO ARDENNES, FRANCE AND THEN INTO GERMANY. WOUNDED IN THE LEG AND HEAD BY SHRAPNEL. WAS SENT TO HOSPITAL IN DIJON, FRANCE. ALSO SERVED AS TANK DRIVER WITH THE 82ND ARMORED RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION OF THE 2ND ARMORED DIVISION. AWARDED THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. WITH THE RANK OF TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE, HE RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE IN 1945.