THREE BRONZE STARS! by Robin C Janton Part 3/3 Before the war - TopicsExpress

THREE BRONZE STARS! by Robin C Janton Part 3/3 Before the war the Janton Company was Ohio’s largest Janitorial Supply store. My dads 30% ownership in this company was worth over one million (pre-war) dollars. While still overseas and unbeknownst to him, a group of unscrupulous men gained control of the stock block, then took control of the company, and bled it dry, leaving my dad’s share at somewhere near fifteen hundred dollars. This was not an isolated incident… it was happening all over the United States during the war… (note: it has always amazed me how evil some men are, especially robbing someone that is making America safe from enemy takeover.) This incident was “hit number two” psychologically for my dad. Then his father died at 46 years of age… “hit number three”. After the war, Bob and Marcia had a second son, MICHAEL M. JANTON, on 20 JAN 1946, who is now a high school teacher in Findlay, Ohio. Robert worked as a salesman and part-time architect; all the while being plagued by excessive drinking. It was during this period in the mid 1960’s that Providence moved him to Chicago, where his mother had resided for some time. He found himself at a place called Pacific Garden Mission on South Canal Street. It was here, that GOD brought him Salvation and final purpose to his life, which he willingly gave to Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Robert C. Janton died in June 1967 of a heart attack at the age of 45. On April 12, 2005, the United States Department of the Air Force authorized the posthumous presentation of THREE BRONZE STAR MEDALS (one for each 50 consecutive missions without abort) to Master Sergeant Janton for his outstanding dedication and service to his country during 1944/1945. This award made Master Sergeant Janton the most decorated Crew Chief in the entire “Mighty Eighth” Air Force, England WWII. Overlooked due to the confusion that exists during wartime, these medals were never recommended or presented in 1945. So, sixty years later, Master Sergeant Janton’s Squadron Commander, John J. Taylor presented this award of the BRONZE STAR MEDAL with TWO OAK LEAF CLUSTERS to his sons, ROBIN C. JANTON of Laurelville, Ohio and MICHAEL M. JANTON of Findlay, Ohio at the 492ND Bomb Group Reunion (2005) in Tucson, Arizona. I have compiled and edited a book based on the men and experiences of the two Groups of which my father was part during WWII. “The TWO SQUADRONS THAT WERE ONE” 2003 details the incredible history of these two units. I also participated with my father’s story on a WOUB-TV PBS special in conjunction with their presentation of Ken Burns’ documentary, “The War” in 2007. Unbeknownst to Robin, a friend commissioned an oil painting of his father and his seven aircraft, including recognition of his THREE BRONZE STARS. Done by Kevin Weber of Denver, Colorado, the painting depicts the man and his aircraft in an elegant manner and was presented to Mr. Janton in 2008... “and I was speechless!” Inspire. Celebrate. Preserve.