Melvin was born 31 Oct 1918.  His father was Julius Markus Sucharipa (1890-1965) and his mother was Julia Sucharipa (1890-1966).  Both of Melvin’s parents were born in Austria.  Julius and Julia arrived in New York in 1906.  

Melvin enlisted 25 Aug 1938 in the National Guard Co A 102nd Engineers. In 1940 his occupation was listed as a Shipping Clerk.  Melvin registered for the draft 27 Aug 1941.  He later enlisted and was placed in the Army Air Corps.  At the time of his enlistment, he was listed as unemployed.  Melvin married Helen Rossman on 29-MAR 1942.  Melvin served in the US ARMY 738TH BOMB SQUADRON as an airplane armorer-gunner on a B-24 Liberator as a waist gunner from 1943-1945.  The 738th was a Heavy Bomber Group part of the 15th Air Force. 

For the rest of Mel’s story, click on the pdf below.

Please contact the St. Charles County Veterans Museum Oral History project at sccvetsmuseum@gmail.com or call 636-294-2657 for more information and lets’ talk. We want to hear from you because we know…Every Veteran has a story.