It is with grieving hearts that we announce the passing of Paul Edward Malone, of Maitland, on March 29th of this year, just shy of his 100th birthday. Paul was born June 11, 1923, in Orange, New Jersey, to Paul Sylvester and Deborah (McGee) Malone. He volunteered for the Army Air Corps days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, when he was just 18 years old and while enrolled at Bergen College in New Jersey. Upon receiving his wings and commission from Napier Field in Alabama, he headed to the war in Europe. He was trained as a fighter pilot but volunteered to co-pilot a B-24 because of a bomber pilot shortage. He completed two 25-mission tours in this role, with Ploesti being among his most dangerous targets. He followed this up with an additional 42 missions piloting a Mustang P-51, where he was able to shoot down two German fighters in a single mission. Following the war, in 1947, he married the love of his life, Barbara Border, at Olmsted AFB in York, PA. After a distinguished career in the military, including deployments for the Korea and Vietnam wars, and after achieving the rank of Colonel ("Full Bird," as they say), he retired to Maitland with his family. Following his military retirement, he finished his college education, obtaining his 4-year degree at Rollins College in Winter Park, then continued his life of service by teaching at the local junior high school, now known as Maitland Middle School, and coaching their football team.

Paul is predeceased by his wife, Barbara, and two sons, Robert and Bryan. He is survived by his sons Thomas (Roberta), Michael (Elizabeth), and John (LeQuyen) Malone; daughter Janet (Daniel) Stoughton; grandchildren Robert, Elena, Ashley, Katie, Jennifer, Jessica, Christian, and Lauren; and several great-grandchildren. He was a larger-than-life figure that we are all proud to be related to, and we will miss him terribly. Following cremation, his remains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Friends and family are invited to gather in remembrance of Paul on Saturday, June 10th, beginning at 7:00 p.m., at 2853 Kings Deer Road, Winter Park, FL 32792. (R.S.V.P. #321-368-7028)

The family wishes to recognize and particularly thank Dr. Eddie Waldheim, his personal physician, and Ashley Daniels, his close friend and physical therapist, for the exceptional care they provided during his later years.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Hospice of the Comforter.