As a result of research conducted in the American military archives, it has been proven that the 84-year-old American Armenian Howard Manoian, who was awarded the Legion of Honor in connection with the 65th anniversary of the landing of the allied forces in Normandy, did not participate in this operation, was not injured and did not show any courage, although his stories about it made him famous.
Faktyoxla Lab. has investigated this issue, which has been on the agenda of the Western media for the last few days.
It turns out that Manoian has been the subject of numerous interviews and documentaries over the decades in which he describes the events of the summer of 1944. "Veteran" presented himself as a parachutist and claimed that he participated in an air landing near the city of Sainte-Mère-Église. According to his own legend, he was wounded in the arm and legs, and received these injuries in rather heroic circumstances.
After his retirement, the American moved to France, bought a house and became a heroic veteran. His photographs and depictions of his heroic deeds have been displayed in museums.
But now it is known that all the stories of Manoian are fiction. He never served in the US 82nd Airborne Division. He only worked in the 33rd Chemical Decontamination Company. (source)
After arriving at Utah Beach on a supply ship, Manoian spent the rest of the war overseeing a supply dump in northern France and providing showers to war-weary soldiers.
As for his injuries, he actually accidentally broke his middle finger while on standby in England.
His second "injury" was a slight bruise on his other hand later.
Manoian’s incredible ruse was revealed thanks to military records and an army payroll obtained by the Boston Herald Tribune.
"He was never part of the paratroopers," said researcher Brian Siddall of Ithaca, N.Y., who first told the Boston Herald about his allegations. Siddall cited many morning reports and payroll records listing Manoian in the 33rd Chemical Decontamination Company throughout 1944.
"The evidence is overwhelming and these reports are accurate," he said.
The Mayor of Sainte-Mère-Eglise was shocked to learn the truth. He said: 'It's unbelievable to think how we've been misled over all these years. He was always perched up at the bar, in front of a beer, recounting his incredible stories from the war.
“All of us are very shocked by these revelations. We cannot be expected to check the record of every single war hero. We just accepted what Mr Manoian told us.”
Christophe Prime, of the Day Memorial Museum in Caen, Normandy, said: “There are always going to be people who invent their pasts to make themselves sound more heroic. This case is a particularly extreme one.”
Journalists could not get in touch with Manoian because he urgently left France for the United States due to "poor health". Government officials said he would be stripped of the Legion of Honor. Photos of the forger and all materials about him will be removed from museums.
