Alexander Molnar

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday for Lt. Col. Alexander A. Molnar of Hartford Township, Trumbull County, formerly of Alexandria, Va. He passed away early Wednesday morning, July 18, 2012. He was 90.

Lt. Col. Molnar was born May 9, 1922, in Duquesne, Pa., a son of Alexander and Catherine Mashanik Molnar.

He was an alumnus of Sharon High School and went on to graduate cum laude from Ohio State University, Columbus.

In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, proudly serving as a pilot of a B-17 bomber with the 32nd Bomber Squadron of the 301 Bomber Group in the European theater of operations. With them, he flew 29 missions over the occupied territories of the North Apennine Mountains, the Rhineland and the Balkans during World War II. Following his discharge as a first lieutenant in 1945, he married his sweetheart, the former Ellen Zorek on March 4, 1946, with whom he shared 53 years of marriage.

He reenlisted with the U.S. Air Force following his wedding and was sent to Japan where he flew missions during the Korean conflict. He was promoted to the rank of captain in April of 1953. Following the conclusion of the Korean conflict, Cpt. Molnar spent time in Panama before being promoted to the rank of major in July of 1962. While serving in Vietnam during the Vietnam conflict, Alex was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel which he attained in March of 1966. He retired in January of 1972 with 30 years of devoted service to his country.

As recognition of his honor and distinction during his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, World War II Victory Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal in Germany, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters and a Presidential Unit Citation.

Alexander was proud of his military service and honored to serve his country which he loved so much.

He served as the former adjutant of American Legion Post 299 in Sharon and had been a member of three officers clubs while living in Alexandria.

Alex enjoyed tinkering with older cars and investing in the stock market.

Although Alexander and his wife had no children, they gave unconditionally to their many nieces and nephews.

He will be sadly missed by his sister, Pauline Barth, Masury; his niece, Karen Radanovich, Arizona; nephews Michael Molnar, Arkansas; Gary and Vernon Molnar, both Michigan; and Gregory Zorek, Indiana; as well as several great-nieces and -nephews and great-great-nieces and -nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen, who died in 1999; his parents; his brother, William Molnar; and his sister.

Delores Molnar.

2nd Lt Alexander A Molnar was assigned to the 301st BG 32nd Squadron.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Pilot.

The following information on Alexander Molnar is gathered and extracted from military records. We have many documents and copies of documents, including military award documents. It is from these documents that we have found this information on 2nd Lt Molnar. These serviceman's records are nowhere near complete and we are always looking for more material. If you can help add to Alexander Molnar's military record please contact us.

	Rank	General Order	Date	Notes	Award	Ribbon & Device
Alexander Molnar	2nd Lt	667	02/14/1945		AM

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