Assigned to the 7th Fighter Squadron as a Lieutenant.
On August 23, 1942 took off from Darwin with Chapman, Drake and Lee to intercept Japanese aircraft at 25,000' in diving attack. Melikian claimed a Zero during the air combat.
In New Guinea, on March 5, 1943 flew a mission over Lae area, claiming a Ki-43 Oscar over Malahang. During August 1943, Melikian became C.O. of the 7th Fighter Squadron when based at Tsili-Tsili Airfield. As a major, he was relieved by Captain Arland Stanton as C.O.
Melikian flew several aircraft including: P-40K "Swing It" 42-45981, with three victory markings. A portion of this aircraft was salvaged and is displayed at the Charters Towers Museum, the rest of the wreckage was salvaged in 2000 and was "donated" to the PIMA Museum, in storage.
Today, P-40N 42-105306 is restored as Melikian's aircraft with his name and victories painted on the left side of the cockpit.
References
49th Fighter Group, page 24, 39, 84
