Lt. Col. Alexander A. Molnar

Lt. Col. Alexander A. Molnar of Hartford Twp., OH formerly of Alexandria, VA passed away early Wednesday morning July 18, 2012. He was ninety years old. He was born on May 9, 1922 in Duquesne, PA the son of the late Alexander and Catherine (Mashanik) Molnar. He was a graduate of Sharon High School and went on to graduate Cum Laude from Ohio State University. In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. proudly serving as a pilot of a B-17 Bomber with the 32nd Bomber Squadron of the 301 Bomber Group in the European Theater of Operations. With them he flew twenty-nine missions over the occupied territories of the North Apennine Mountains, the Rhineland, and the Balkans during World War II. Following his discharge as a 1st Lieutenant in 1945, he went on to marry his sweetheart the former Ellen Zorek on March 4, 1946 and with her he would share fifty-three years of marriage. He reenlisted with the United States Air Force following his wedding and would been sent to Japan where he would to continue fly missions during the Korean War and was promoted to the rank of Captain in April of 1953. Following the conclusion of the Korean War, Captain Molnar spent time in Panama before being promoted to the rank of Major in July of 1962. While serving in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, Alex was promoted to his final rank of Lieutenant Colonel was attained in March of 1966. He would continue to serve until his retirement in January of 1972 with thirty years of devoted service to his country. As recognition of his honor and distinction during his service he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, World War II Victory Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal in Germany, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one oak leaf cluster, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Service medal with three bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award with four bronze oak leaf clusters, and a Presidential Unit Citation. Alexander was very proud of his military service and considered it an honor to serve his country which he loved so much. He served as the former Adjutant of American Legion Post #299 in Sharon, PA and had been a member of three officers clubs while living in Alexandria. Alex also enjoyed tinkering with older cars and was and investing in the stock markets. Although Alexander and his wife had no children of their own, they gave unconditionally to their many nieces and nephews. He will be sadly missed by his sister Pauline Barth of Masury, OH; his niece Karen Radanovich of Arizona, nephews Michael Molnar of Arkansas, Gary and Vernon Molnar of Michigan, and Gregory Zorek of Indiana; as well as several great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother William Molnar, and his sister Delores Molnar. Friends may call from 3:00PM until 7:00PM on Sunday July 22, 2012 at the Lane Family Funeral Homes, Madasz Chapel 6923 Warren-Sharon Road Brookfield, OH 44403 (330) 448-6969. Closing prayers will begin at 9:15AM on Monday morning July 23, 2012 at the funeral home to be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial will beginning at 10:00AM at St. Thomas the Apostle (St. Bernadette Church) in Masury, OH with the Rev. Frank Zanni as Pastor. Entombment will take place at Hill Crest Memorial Park in Hermitage, PA where full military honors will be observed.