Captain Victor "Transport" Maghakian (Armenian: Վիգդոր Մաղաքեան; December 30, 1915 – August 17, 1977) was an Armenian-American member of the United States Marine Corps during World War II. As a gunnery sergeant, he led his platoon through some of the bloodiest fighting in seven South Pacific campaigns, including the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Having received over two dozen medals and awards, he is considered one of the most decorated American soldiers of the war.[1]
Maghakian served with the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions and the Raiders. During the Makin Island raid, Maghakian led the charge onto the beachhead with a landing force and fought while suffering a forearm wound. He was awarded with the Navy Cross for his efforts during the raid. Although he was supposed to return home afterward, Maghakian requested to join the Guadalcanal campaign, and was shipped two weeks later. He was again wounded in action.
In January 1944, Maghakian volunteered to participate in another assault, against Kwajalein Atoll of the Marshall Islands, in the Battle of Kwajalein. After Kwajalein, Maghakian and the Marines landed on the Eniwetok Atoll in February 1944, and continued to capture several more islands. He took part in the Battle of Tinian and was the one who raised the American flag on the island after its capture. Maghakian was part of a Marine force that captured a Japanese aircraft field during the Battle of Saipan.
^"World War II Hero Dies", Associated Press report in Santa Cruz Sentinel, August 19, 1977, p.44 ("Victor Maghakian, one of the nation's most decorated Marines in World War II, has died... Maghakian was awarded more than two dozen medals, including the Navy Cross, which is second to the Medal of Honor in military status.")
Captain Victor "Transport" Maghakian (Armenian: Վիգդոր Մաղաքեան; December 30, 1915 – August 17, 1977) was an Armenian-American member of the United States...
figures of Armenian-American history, including Soghomon Tehlirian, VictorMaghakian, and William Saroyan. The Ararat Massis Cemetery was the only Armenian...
Litzenberg Elliott Loughlin (two awards) Douglas MacArthur (seven awards) VictorMaghakian (two awards) Fred K. Mahaffey (three awards) Peyton C. March Richard...
recipient Douglas MacArthur, U.S. Army general VictorMaghakian, also known as Captain Victor "Transport" Maghakian Karl Marlantes, author, 2 awards Lee Marvin...
Died: Delmer Daves, 73, American film producer U.S. Marine Captain VictorMaghakian, 61, American war hero awarded the Navy Cross for leading the Makin...
decorated soldier of the state of Rhode Island. Another Marine captain, VictorMaghakian, is considered one of the most decorated American soldiers of the war...
(two awards) Kurt Chew-Een Lee Justin LeHew William K. MacNulty Victor Maghakian William Edward Campbell March Karl Marlantes John McNulty (U.S. Marine...
most decorated Armenian Americans ever to serve the United States VictorMaghakian, Marine Corps during World War II and is considered one of the most...
Rhode Island and one of the most decorated marines of the war), and VictorMaghakian (one of the most decorated American soldiers of the war). Brothers...
Cross, Distinguished Service Order, War Cross, in Nairobi (d. 1999); VictorMaghakian, American marine corps officer, commander of the Marine Raiders during...
– October 22, 1943 Shot down seven enemy planes during this period VictorMaghakian Marine Corps Platoon Sergeant Makin Atoll, Gilbert Islands August 17–18...
James Roosevelt are not depicted in the film, Sam Levine plays Victor "Transport" Maghakian (who acted as an adviser on the film) and J. Carrol Naish plays...
star clusters) Glp — S. de Glasenapp (double stars) GM — Gyulbudaghian-Maghakian (planetary nebulae) Gol — H. Goldschmidt (double stars) GOS — Galactic...
Constantinople in early 1871. From 1872 to 1875, he was a member of B. Maghakian's troupe, playing leading roles in tragedies and melodramas. During the...
Global Information
United States Marine Corps
Captain
