Ray Melikian

Ray Melikian (June 7, 1918 – October 25, 2013) was a fighter pilot of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II where he achieved the rank of major. Melikian flew 228 missions during the war and was known for having "superkeen" eyesight.

Life Of Armenian descent, Ray Melikian was born in Fresno, California in 1918. He attended school at Kerman High School. He joined the military where he completed his training in August 1941. After completion of his training, Melikian was sent to Australia then New Guinea. He is a farmer by profession.

In 1969 the wreckage of the plane was discovered in a jungle in New Guinea with skeletal remains in it. Distinguished Flying Cross with two bronze oak leaf clusters Air Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters Army Good Conduct Medal American Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze campaign stars World War II Victory Medal

Awards In 1942 Ray Melikian was named Fresno's most outstanding man of the year.

Legacy Ray Melikian's plane was found in a junkyard in Australia in 1974. The plane was badly damaged and was in many parts.

The plane was sold twice until it was purchased off eBay and then restored by Chris Prevost, owner of Vintage Aircraft Co., who bought and machined many of the parts needed for its restoration. The parts needed for restoration cost approximately $600,000 which included a fuselage that cost $151,000. In 2009 the aircraft was completed and on March 14, 2009, Ray Melikian flew the plane with Chris Provost at the Vintage Airport in Sonoma, CA. Ray Melikian was 90 years old at the time of the flight. The restored aircraft included Melikian's name and victories on the left side of the cockpit.

A portion of one of the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk aircraft Ray Melikian flew during World War II is also displayed at the Museum of Charters Towers.