Honor Deceased Veterans Ceremony September 2026

John A. Mancini US Army Air Corps 1941 - 1943 John was born on April 23, 1919 in Ballston Lake, NY. His parents were Angelo and Maria. John attended Ballston Lake High School, and Graduated from Siena College. When John was young, he suffered from tuberculosis leaving him far weaker than other boys of his age. His parents realized he needed a little extra help and decided to move him in with their neighbor Daniel Hogan, Parish Priest. Father Hogan, who had a great love of sports, started a Boxing School in the basement of church for wayward and sickly boys trying to find their way, John was one of them. While living with Father Hogan, John excelled at boxing and academics. He became Class president his Junior and Senior years at Burnt Hills Ballston Lake High School. Upon graduating he attended Siena for 2 years. While at Siena his interest for flying increased. In 1939, the Siena Aviation Club created a Civil Aeronautics Training School, which John took full advantage of, learning to fly out of Albany Airport. John entered into the US Army Air Corps on October 31, 1941 in Albany NY. John trained to become a pilot. He would be assigned to the 17th Photographic Squadron, 4th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, 13th Air Force. His main role was to conduct photographic and visual searches in the Pacific region during WWII. John was well regarded by his chain of command well and was entrusted to fly high-ranking officers and officials. On April 22, 1943, John took off from Guadalcanal over the Pacific Ocean on a photo recon mission piloting a Lockheed F5 Lightning aircraft. There were reports of thunderheads and squall lines in the area. Unfortunately, his aircraft went off radar, and John was never heard from again, listed as Missing in Action, and later declared officially deceased on December 17, 1945. For his service, First Lieutenant John Mancini, was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.