Victor Maghakian
| Victor Maghakian | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Native name | Վիգդոր Մաղաքեան |
| Nickname(s) | Transport |
| Born |
December 30, 1915 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | August 17, 1977 (aged 61) Fresno, California |
| Buried at | Armenian Ararat Cemetery (36°44′44″N 119°50′04″W / 36.74559°N 119.834365°WCoordinates: 36°44′44″N 119°50′04″W / 36.74559°N 119.834365°W) |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Years of service | 1936–1939 1942–1946 |
| Rank |
 Captain
|
| Service number | 251055 |
| Unit | Second Marine Raider Battalion |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
|
| Other work | Hotel executive, security consultant and member of the Nevada Gaming Control Board |
Sino-Japanese War
World War II:
Victor Maghakian, also known as Captain Victor "Transport" Maghakian (Armenian: Վիգդոր Մաղաքեան) (December 30, 1915 – August 17, 1977), was an Armenian American member of the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Having received over two dozen medals and awards, he is considered one of the most decorated American soldiers of the war.
Victor Maghakian was born on December 30, 1915 in Chicago, Illinois to an Armenian family and was the oldest of four brothers and three sisters. Maghakian's great-grandfather was a caravan driver in the Middle-East and was respected for his military prowess. It is noted that his great-grandfather killed 112 enemy Turkish soldiers in his lifetime. Maghakian's father worked in the steel mill. Victor took up much of the responsibility of raising his younger siblings. It was noted by his sister in 2008 that "he was a quiet and dedicated man and was always very calm, except for war. He was such a giving man." In 1930 the Maghakian family moved to San Diego, California where he originally decided to join the United States Navy. However, on the way to see the recruiter, Maghakian stopped by to watch Pride of the Marines (1936) starring Charles Bickford. After gaining inspiration from the movie, Maghakian decided not to join the Navy and instead enlist in the Marines. Having lived in San Diego for nine years, the Maghakian family moved to Fresno, California where they lived next to the family of writer William Saroyan on the corner of M Street and Monterrey Avenue in Old Armenia Town.
...
Wikipedia