(Ret.) Lt. Col Delmar Richard Mineard Sr.

(Ret.) Lt. Col Delmar Richard Mineard Sr. (Deceased),

1942 Graduate

Retired Lt. Col Delmar Richard Mineard Sr. enlisted in the Army Air Corps straight out of high school. He began as a radio operator who found his way to flight school, where he gained firsthand experience battling the enemy. Later, he tested his skills and experience and was told to choose between being a pilot, navigator or bombardier. He chose Bombardier and quickly mastered the new Norden Bombsights. During his time in the military, he was shot down three times: Once over France, where he was rescued by the French Underground, returning to England by Submarine. Next, over Germany, where he became a POW, escaping and eventually making his way to the border, and again in Korea.

With his time in the military, he served in three major wars: World War II, the Korean War, and yet again in Vietnam, retiring as the Bomb Wing Chief Air Weapons Branch Officer at Castle Air Force Base. One of his final reviews before his retirement stated: “The unique expertise possessed by this superior officer has resulted in his peers naming him ‘Dean of the Air Weapons Officers.’” After all he had been through, the decision to retire was not taken lightly. The Air Force had been working for years on yet another promotion, this time to full Colonel, but he decided he had been away long enough and wanted to spend that time with his high school sweetheart, his beautiful and loving wife, Betty.

Prior to the Mighty Eighth, Mineard flew missions with the 486th Bomb Group (Heavy) in B-24 Liberators. Later, the crew was transferred to the 493rd Bomb Group (Heavy), hoping to stay with the B24’s, but shortly after their transfer, the 493rd also switched to the B-17 Flying Fortresses. Mineard flew almost 70 combat missions in the Pacific and European Theater of Operations. (860th & 862nd Bomb Squadron)

Some of his greatest achievements: During his time with the 493rd Bomb Group (Heavy) he and his crew barely escaped when their blazing bomb-laden “Devil’s Own” B-17 exploded minutes after making it back to the base. Mineard was the only one who suffered any injuries, which were minor, as he got caught by the engine propeller while escaping from the nose of the plane.

As the Lead Bombardier he was directly responsible for the excellent bombing of his squadron which resulted in the destruction of vital enemy installations at Nuremberg, Germany, on the 20th of February; at Kitzingen, Germany, on the 23rd of that month; and at Rochefort, France, on the 16th of April despite adverse weather and anti-aircraft fire.

The then 21 year old 1st/Lt. was also credited with the destruction of the last German Aircraft destroyed in WWII over Ausig, Czechoslovakia on April 19th, 1945, during the attack on the Marshalling Yards. His Guns & Nose Turret were sent to the Smithsonian Institute Museum.

After retirement, Mineard did everything possible to make up for lost time, focusing on his Family.