[PGR_PA_r12] Honorable Escort Petty Officer Walter E Mintus USN KIA WWII / 9-10 November 2018 / Pittsburgh International Airport/ Portage, PA

Tue Nov 6 02:36:56 UTC 2018

*Honorable Escort*
*Petty Officer Walter E Mintus*
*US Navy*
*KIA WWII Veteran*
*9-10 November 2018*
*Pittsburgh International Airport/ Portage, PA*

The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited by the family of Petty Officer
Walter E Mintus US Navy To Welcome Home, Escort then Stand In Silent Honor
for his Service & Interment with Military Honors.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced 25 June 2018 that
the remains of Petty Officer Walter E Mintus accounted-for from World War
II.

Navy Aviation Radioman 3rd Class Walter E. Mintus age of 22 from Portage
accounted for 25 June 2018. RM3 Mintus was aboard Torpedo Bomber with the
Torpedo Squadron Fifty One (VT-51). RM3 Mintus Aircraft was the lead of
four Avengers on a Mission targeting the Japanese Base at Malakal Harbor.
The aircraft was last observed three to five miles ahead of the other
aircraft, at the beginning of the attack. Witnesses observed an object,
believed to be an aircraft, on fire in Malakal Harbor. All three servicemen
on board, including Mintus, were reported Missing In Action and
subsequently presumed dead on Feb. 4, 1946.

After combat operations in the area ceased, the American Graves
Registration Service compared all unidentified remains recovered near Palau
to the crew of the missing Avenger aircraft, with negative results. On May
21, 1949, Mintus was declared non-recoverable.

>From January 2004 to 2016, a non-profit organization, the BentProp Project,
conducted several investigations regarding the debris field of an
unidentified aircraft, consistent with an Avenger, near Malakal Harbor.

In January and February 2018, a DPAA team excavated a suspected crash site
in Malakal Harbor, Republic of Palau, recovering debris and life support
equipment that were consistent with a crew member from the crash, as well
as possible remains.

To identify Mintus’ remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and
anthropological analysis, as well as material and circumstantial evidence.

Petty Officer Walter E Mintus is finally coming Home after 74 years. Walter
served our country with Honor, now it time to Honor & Welcome him home.

This is a two day Mission with Alternate Staging Locations and Times.
Members can attend all of a Mission or any part of the Mission. PGR sets no
time for a Member to Escort and or Stand a Mission. We Thank you for
whatever time you give us and the families of our Heroes appreciate your
time.

*Friday, 9 November 2018*

*For Those Coming From Altoona*

*Stage & KSU: *7:00 AM Sharp
*Sheetz #354*
1915 Pleasant Valley Blvd, Altoona, PA 16602
https://goo.gl/maps/X1HRYKWc9Kv

*Short Break*
*Sheetz #498*
610 US-22, Blairsville, PA 15717
https://goo.gl/maps/h17w27j3xds

For those wanting to join the group, ETA from Altoona To Blairsville,
8:15-8:30 AM

*Short Break,Then KSU To:*
*Alternate Staging/Briefing: *10:00 AM
*Sheetz #379*
9002 University Blvd, Moon, PA 15108
https://goo.gl/maps/uaQeqhZ8tTF2

Details regarding the Mission will be discussed at the Briefing.

*KSU To The Airport:* 10:15 AM

*Welcome & Escort Walter Home*

*Saturday, 10 November 2018*

*Staging/Briefing:* 8:30 AM
*Sheetz #49*
101 Main St, Portage, PA 15946
https://goo.gl/maps/sbsktoLmEPk

*KSU: *8:45 AM

*Flag Line:* Upon Arrival of the church

*St Joseph's Church*
509 Caldwell Ave, Portage, PA 15946
https://goo.gl/maps/MAkbbrputAr

Visitation from 9:30-11AM

Service at 11:00 AM

*Following The Service, KSU For Interment With Military Honors.*

*Sacred Heart Cemetery*
Portage, PA 15946

*Remember, NO WEAPONS are permitted at Pittsburgh International Airport.*

*Please Watch The Weather, Dress Accordingly, Hydrate*
*& Bring Your 3 X 5 Handheld Flags.*

*RCIC'S:*

*Lewis Winnecour*
lwinne1 at comcast.net
(412) 889-5629

*Joe Turner*
simplman at atlanticbb.net
(814) 937-5516‬

*Larry Graper*
lar80215 at netscape.net
‭(814) 932-2423‬
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