The Minton family of Kouts was one of 22 Pleasant Township families to have two or more sons serving during WWII at the same time. Connie E. Minton was aboard a LST amphibious landing ship just offshore of Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945 - just a few days before the famous iconic USMC flag raising during that costly battle. A massive US Navy presence surrounded the island early that morning bombing it from sea and air preparing for the landing on that heavily fortified and well-defended volcanic rock in the ocean. Seaman First Class Minton was topside likely taking place in the bombing and defending the air around the ships when a Japanese kamikaze pilot targeted his LST-477 - striking it near the forward gun placement and killing 8 shipmates instantly, including SFC Minton. Hear his story and how his two brothers, Marshall and Ivan fared in the war and take a moment to thank the Minton family - especially Connie - for their ultimate sacrifice.
