Albert L. Mangin

Albert L.. Mangin, Jr., age 94, died October 5, 2015 in Biloxi, MS. He was the son of Albert L. Mangin, Sr. and Lorena Bessey Mangin, and the oldest of seven children, Albert L. Mangin, Jr., Dr. Charles Mangin, Elizabeth, Margaret, Edward, John and Bertha. Al joined the United States Army Air Force on March 6, 1942, which was later changed to the United States Air Force. He flew 55 missions over the German troops in North Africa, Italy and Sicily, and was awarded the Air Medal with Seven Oak leaf clusters. After returning to the United States, he was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base. He loved the United States Air Force and especially the Keesler Hospital who treated him royally over the years and allowed him to visit 35 foreign countries. Sports always interested him and he was a good golfer and tennis player. Shotguns were a favorite as he gathered dove in Mississippi and pheasants in South Korea. While a kid, he and his buddies would swim from Biloxi to Deer Island and beachcomb for the day. Music was a lifelong pleasure he learned from his mother who played the piano and sang with the Nativity B.V.M. Choir. He played the clarinet in the Biloxi High Band and in a small group orchestra who played gigs on the coast. Al apparently got his love of adventure and music from his grandfather, Charles Albert Bessey, who was a career Army man who was a bandmaster and won the Congressional Medal of Honor. All friends and relatives are saddened by our loss. In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to, Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral, St. Vincent De Paul, Howard Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530. His funeral will be held Friday, October 9,2015 at 3:00pm at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue Chapel. Family may visit from 1:30 to 2:00pm and friends may visit from 2:00 to 3:00pm. Burial will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery.