09/15/2026
On Tuesday, Craig Hayner, Saratoga County Clerk, joined the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency , the Saratoga County NY Government Board of Supervisors other county and state officials in honoring John A. Mancini during September’s Deceased Veteran of the Month Ceremony. Hayner presented Mancini's great-nephew with a special citation recognizing him for his selfless dedication in his service to this country.
John was born on April 23, 1919, in Ballston Lake, NY. His parents were Angelo and Maria.
John attended Ballston Lake High School and graduated from Siena College.
When John was young, he suffered from tuberculosis, which left him far weaker than other boys of his age. His parents realized he needed a little extra help and decided to move him in with their neighbor Daniel Hogan, the parish priest. Father Hogan, who had a great love of sports, started a boxing school for wayward and sickly boys trying to find their way. Johnny was one of them.
While living with Father Hogan, Johnny excelled at boxing and academics. He became class president his junior and senior years at Burnt Hills Ballston Lake High School. Upon graduating, he attended Siena College. While at Siena, his interest in flying increased. In 1939, the Siena Aviation Club created a Civil Aeronautics Training School, which John took full advantage of, learning to fly out of Albany Airport.
John entered the U.S. Army Air Corps on October 31, 1941, in Albany NY. He trained to become a pilot and was assigned to the 17th Photographic Squadron, 4th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, 13th Air Force. His main role was to conduct photographic and visual searches in the Pacific region during WWII. John was well regarded by his chain of command and was entrusted to fly high-rankings officers and officials.
On April 22, 1943, John took off from Guadalcanal over the Pacific Ocean on a photo recon mission piloting a Lockheed F5 Lightning aircraft. There were reports of thunderheads and squall lines in the area. Unfortunately, his aircraft went off radar, and John was never heard from again. He was listed as Missing in Action, and later officially declared deceased on December 17, 1945. For his service, First Lieutenant John Mancini was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.
