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Family Mourns Decorated War Veteran Killed By MBTA Bus In Melrose

BOSTON (CBS) -- The pedestrian who was hit by an MBTA bus in Melrose Tuesday evening has been identified as 88-year-old Minor McClain.

McClain was a prisoner of war in WWII. He earned the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Minor McClain
Minor McClain (Courtesy: Salem State University)

He eventually became a history professor at Salem State University.

"I'm gonna miss him," said McClain's son Andrew. "I loved him a great deal."

McClain was on his way to a meeting at a VFW hall when he was struck and killed by a bus in a crosswalk in Melrose. He typically gets a ride from his home, but decided to walk the route on Tuesday evening.

The district attorney's office is investigating and the bus driver is off the job for now, but it is possible that glare from the sun may have played a role in the crash, police said.

At the VFW, McClain was the historian and chaplain.

"He used to find out who was in the hospital, go visit them," said Joe McKean, Commander of VFW Post 2394.

McClain's wife is in a nursing home where Minor read books to her every afternoon.

"I was over there twice today," said Andrew. "She broke down immediately."

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