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A3C Michael S. Bell (Unit Historian)
to remember
Langworthy, Everett Walter, Col.
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Everett Walter Langworthy, Retired Colonel, USAF, 92, of Wilmington NC, died on Monday, April 4, 2011, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center. From humble beginnings, he went on to become a World War II pilot, flew the Berlin Air Lift and circled the world multiple times as an official records observer.
Beloved husband, father and grandfather, he was born on August 17, 1918 and graduated from U of MA in 1940. He joined the Army Air Corps on June 1, 1942 and retired with full honors as a Colonel in 1972. During World War II he flew C-54's and C-47's, primarily along the South America, North Africa supply route that provided critical provisions, equipment and goods to the fighting troops in Africa and Europe. After World War II he flew over 130 missions in the C-54 as part of the Berlin Air Lift from 1948-49. He simultaneously served as Squadron Operations Commander to crews that flew 300 missions in the round-the-clock 12 hour shifts operating from Fassberg in the British Zone of occupied Germany to Gatow Air Field in British occupied Berlin. He also flew missions into Templehoff, the Allied airfield in Berlin. He used his airlift skills again for the unusual Operation Hajji Baba in August of 1952, in which he participated in the transfer of thousands of Muslim pilgrims from Beirut to Jedda, Saudi Arabia as part of a US contract with the Lebanese government. Other aircraft he qualified to pilot include the C-124 (affectionately called Old Shakey) and the Convair 240. Colonel Langworthy was an early operations coordinator with the Federal Aviation Administration, which included special assignment to the Pentagon. He attended the very selective and highly prestigious National War College at Ft. McNair in Washington D.C. from 1963-64 where he studied counterinsurgency. While there he also completed a Masters in International Relations at George Washington University. Colonel Langworthy retired in 1972 with the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, American Campaign Medal, European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, World War II/Berlin Airlift Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with two oak clusters, and Air Force Small Arms Expert in Marksmanship Medal. He had 30 years of continuous active duty in the USAF accumulating more than 12,000 accident-free flying hours. He logged more than 500 additional accident-free hours as a test pilot and corporate pilot.
Upon retirement, he served as Vice President of Meteor Aero, Inc. which had a research contract with the John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Baltimore, MD. He joined the National Aeronautic Association in 1976 where he served as Secretary of Records and Contests until 1979 and then became Executive Vice President until 1992. Among many other noteworthy record attempts, he was the On Board Certifying Official for two flights around the world with Gulf Stream IV, one Eastward and the other Westward. While working for NAA he was recruited for special assignments by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He was recognized by the FBI in 1991 for his "SERVICE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST". He served as the US Delegate to the Federation Aeronautic Internationale (FAI) and as a member on the Board of Directors with the following organizations: Academy of Model Aeronautics; Soaring Society of America; and Hang Gliding Association of the United States. In 1987, he was selected by FAI to receive international recognition in the field of aviation as a recipient of the Paul Tissandier Diploma. In 1992, he received the NAA Elder Statesman Award for having made life long contributions of significant value to the field of aviation.
He continues to be a member of the NAA, the Aero Club of Washington D.C., Military Officers Association, the Retired Military Officers Association, the United States Air Force Association, Disabled American Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign War, and American Legion.
Colonel Langworthy was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration in 1992. He attended the Blind Rehabilitation Program at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, West Haven, CT, which emphasized life skills for the blind. He became very involved in the Blinded Veterans Association, where he was elected and served from 2001-2004 as a Director to the National Board representing District 3 which included the North Carolina area. He organized the BVA Annual Sweepstakes program in 1995 which continues to be very successful and raise substantial sums of money to help defray BVA Convention expenses.
In addition to his military and aviation-related career, Colonel Langworthy was a life-long entrepreneur. His first business venture was during the Depression as a small child. He bought 10 baby chicks for 9 cents each, raised them, and sold their eggs for 60 cents a dozen, which brought much needed money into the family income. In later years he invested in racehorses, and was an innovator in exploring alternative energy sources though the drilling of numerous gas wells in Pennsylvania.
Colonel Langworthy is survived by his beloved wife, Joan, his children, John, Jo Ann Sears and Bob; his step-children, Gary Siegalkoff, Russell, Michael and Gregory Scott, and his grandchildren, Joseph, Helene-Mateer, Alan, Gary, Maxwell, Jake, Colby, Alexander, Elizabeth, Jonathon, Paul and James. He is also survived by his nephews, James and Walter Henderson. He is predeceased by his first wife, Mary Jane Mateer, and his sister, Elizabeth Henderson.
Colonel Langworthy retired at Andrews AFB, MD, and lived in the DC area many years before moving to Wilmington, NC. His friends and family will miss his joie de vivre, spirit of adventure and zest for life.
Visitation will be at 1:00 pm with funeral service at 2:00 pm, Friday, April 15, 2011 at Andrews Market Street Chapel. Rev. Nancy L. Cooper will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Landfall Country Club immediately after the service.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Everett's honor to: The Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 24801; Blinded Veterans Association, 508 Fulton St. VAMC, Durham, N.C. 27705.
