User:EtienneDolet/Homer Lafian
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Homer H. Lafian[1] (Armenian: Հոմէր Լաֆեան) (December 12, 1922 – June 10, 2010) was a technical sergeant in the 509th Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division for the United States Army during World War II. Lafian spent 28 months overseas during which he took part in the D-Day invasion and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. In one battle, he single-handedly destroyed six German tanks.[2]
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Homer Lafian | |
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Birth name | Homer H. Lafian |
Born | (1922-12-12)December 12, 1922 |
Died | June 10, 2010(2010-06-10) (aged 87) |
Buried | 42°26′31″N 83°07′44″W |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | April 1, 1943 – February, 1946 |
Rank | Technical Sergeant |
Unit | 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division |
Battles/wars | World War II:
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Awards | Silver Star (2) Soldier's Medal Bronze Star (2) Good Conduct Medal European Campaign Medal (4) World War II Victory Medal Presidential Unit Citation French Croix de Guerre Belgium Croix de Guerre |
Spouse(s) | May Hachigian |
Other work | United Auto Workers representative with Ford Motor Company |
During the War, Lafian also saw the concentration camps of the Holocaust and its aftermath. He had witnessed many corpses set on fire in order to prevent the spread of diseases. Lafian also had the opportunity to witness the Nuremburg Trials and saw Rudolf Hess and Hermann Göring first-hand. Throughout his service during World War II, Lafian met other prominent figures such as the future President of France Charles de Gaulle and Soviet military commander Semyon Timoshenko.
For his efforts in the war, Lafian was awarded numerous medals including the Silver Star (twice), Soldier's Medal and the Bronze Star (twice). Some of his decorations also include foreign medals such as the Belgium Croix de Guerre and the French Croix de Guerre.[1]