D-day ‘hero’ exposed as a fraud

A self-styled American hero who was honoured around the world for taking part in two famous Second World War parachute jumps has been exposed as a fraud.

Howard Manoian, 84, had moved to the Normandy village of Sainte-Mère-Eglise and was still claiming last month to be one of the 82nd Airborne Division troops who landed there on D-Day, 6 June 1944.

He said he went on to land in Holland on 17 September 1944 as part of Operation Market Garden — a failed and bloody operation.

In fact, Manoian served with the 33rd Chemical Decontamination Company, at a supply dump in northern France.

Rather than being wounded while fighting German stormtroopers, as he claimed, he broke a finger while on standby in England, and then cut his hand.

The deceit came to light, just as Manoian was due to be awarded with the Legion of Honour, France's highest award, on the 65th anniversary of D-Day.

According to researchers, archives prove he landed in France by ship. No surviving troops from the 82nd remember him. Historian Brian Siddal said: "He was never part of the paratroopers. The evidence is overwhelming."

Manoian's war record has been handed to the French authorities. A government spokesman said the fraud was "to be regretted".

Manoian could not be contacted. A neighbour said: "He's feeling poorly and has returned to America."