Obituary of Andrew Anzanos

Andrew "Andy" Anzanos, 92, died May 16, 2016 after a lengthy illness. Born February 22, 1924 in Gary, Indiana to Greek immigrant parents Lambros and Theresa Anzanos. He attended Lew Wallace High School and lettered three times on the championship football team and in track. Within months of his graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. A young Andy was proficient with guns and was very mechanically inclined, so he trained in aircraft maintenance and aerial gunnery. He trained to be a top turret gunner on the B-17 and was part of the 390th bomb group for the 8th Air Force. Flying a total of 26 combat missions, Andy was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, 4 air Medals and many other citations. For his efforts, and 60 years later, he was the recipient of the French Medal Of Honor. So Andy, the quiet humble man we all knew was very proud to have served his country and holds a valiant position with all those who served during World War II. Following his years of service to our Country, Andy earned an Aeronautical Engineering degree as well as his private pilot's license and FAA certification for aircraft and engine mechanics. He went on to work with McDonnell Aircraft Company. He became a Contract Estimating Specialist and that led to development of the F4H Phantom II Aircraft. Future developments with McDonnell would see the beginning of the NASA Mercury Program, where Andy did all of the cost studies and contract proposals. Under Andy's leadership, such proposals as Apollo, Gemini B, Skylab, Harpoon Missile, Cruise Missile and the Space Shuttle vehicle were all hands-on by Andy and his department. Andy retired in 1980 and married Christine Bikos. His old 390th Bomb Group was building a museum on the Pima Air and Museum grounds, so Andy joined that effort and became instrumental in the construction and design of Nose Art, and the Berlin Mission Diorama displays. He retired from the museum in 2008. Andy leaves behind his devoted and loving wife Christine, son Jim and his wife Anna May Tsalikis of Las Vegas, son Spencer of Tucson, sisters Angeline Merodias of Tucson and Kay Halashak of Hobart, Indiana, and many loving nieces and nephews and cousins, two grandsons and one great granddaughter. A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday May 26, 2016 at Bring's Broadway Chapel 6910 East Broadway, Tucson. Bringfuneralhome.com