Walter E. "Bert" Mintus

Mintus, Walter E. "Bert" ARM3c U.S. Navy 22, formerly of Benscreek, Washington Twp. Lost in a bombing raid July 27, 1944 on Malakal Island in the Republic of Palau. Born July 21, 1921 in Benscreek, he was the son of John and Caroline (Orzechowski) Mintus. His deceased family members include his parents and his 13 brothers and sisters. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Feb. 4, 1942 in Pittsburgh and was assigned as a radioman to the Torpedo Squadron Fifty-One of the USN. On July 27, 1944 their torpedo bomber with pilot Lt. Roland Houle, turret gunner Otis Ingram, and  radioman Walter Mintus, took off from the U.S.S. San Jacinto on a bombing mission to Malakal Island. They were the lead aircraft and were spotted 5 miles ahead of the other aircraft at the beginning of the attack. As they approached, the other attack planes in the squadron noticed an aircraft on fire in Malakal Harbor. All three crew members were never found and reported as missing in action. The three men were presumed dead on Feb. 4, 1946. By continued prompting of the families, the crash site was excavated from Jan. 18 to Feb. 22, 2018. Dental records of the found remains, life support equipment, and identification information recovered were consistent with a WWII aircraft. Further DNA testing confirmed and positive identification was made as of July 2, 2018. After 74 years missing; Walter is returning home. The public and any Veterans Organizations are invited to pay their respects at a welcome home tribute to ARM3c Walter Mintus from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday Nov. 9, 2018 at the Holy Family Parish; 509 Caldwell Ave., Portage, PA. Any organizations or persons  interested in giving any type of eulogy or remembrance will have an opportunity to speak between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, at the church. The public is also invited to a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Holy Family Parish, Portage. Fr. Thomas Stabile, TOR Celebrant. Committal in Sacred Heart Cemetery with Military Funeral Rites by the U.S. Naval Ritual Team. The family suggests any memorial contributions be made to erect a fitting memorial to Walter Mintus.

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