Melvin Joseph Maas (May 14, 1898 – April 13, 1964) was a U.S. Representative from Minnesota and decorated Major General of the United States Marine Corps Reserve during World War II.

[2] As members fled the chamber, Maas stood his ground and shouted to the man that no one was allowed to speak in the House while carrying a weapon and demanded that he throw it down.

With Col. Melvin J. Maas at the controls, the aircraft suffered strike damage after hitting a bump on the runway during takeoff from NRAB Minneapolis.

The right wheel also collapsed, and the left wingtip dug into the ground, causing the aircraft to nose up to a nearly vertical orientation before settling upright.

During World War II, Maas was recalled to active service as a Colonel and assigned to the staff of Admiral William Halsey Jr. in the summer of 1941.

He was later transferred to the staff of the South West Pacific Area Commander, General Douglas MacArthur, where he was appointed Marine Corps observer.

During the final phase of the Battle of Milne Bay at the beginning of September 1942, Maas volunteered as an observer and auxiliary gunner on a bomber plane for a reconnaissance mission.

During the eight-hour flight, he helped disable an enemy airdrome and participated in dropping food and supplies to an isolated US Army outpost.

[4] Maas continued to serve in the South Pacific until the fall of 1942, when he was ordered back to the United States for further duty in Congress.

Here is the ribbon bar of Major General Melvin J. Maas: Correspondence, reports, photographs, diaries, and professional papers are available for research use.