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Personal info

Full name
MINASSIAN, John Haigh
Date of birth
22 September 1922
Age
22
Place of birth
Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Hometown
Upper Darby, Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
13155369
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner
Unit
563rd Bombardment Squadron,
388th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
15 March 1945
Place of death
Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 29 8

Immediate family

Members
Iman Minassian (father)
Loncine Minassian (mother)
Arkuka Minassian (sister)
Arthur Minassian (brother)
Rose Minassian (sister)
Bartive Minassian (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
44-8594
Data
Type: B-17G
Target: Oranienburg, Germany
Mission: Combat
MACR: 13094

More information

T/Sgt John H. Minassian graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1941.

Statement from S/Sgt Edmund A. Jedrzejek:
We went on a mission over Berlin where no. 1 engine was knocked out. Then we headed for Brussel, Belgium. We made it about to the Rhine River, West of Munster, Germany. There flak knocked out no. 1 and no. 3 engines. The ship went into the spin and I bailed out. I was captured immediately and met up with the pilot, Alvin L. Lehrman, Engineer, Mike P. Maietta and Ball Gunner, William B. Willams. I did not see any of the rest of the crew.

Source of information: Michel Beckers, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Jac Engels, Upper Darby High School 1941