Colonel Einar Axel Malmstrom

Col. Einar Axel Malmstrom, born on July 14, 1907, in Chicago, Ill., enlisted as a private in the Washington State National Guard on May 12, 1929. Initially called to active federal service at Parkwater, Washington, on Sept. 16, 1940, as a first lieutenant, eventually he moved to the European Theater of Operations and assumed command of the 356th Fighter Group in November 1943.

On April 24, 1944, while flying his 58th combat mission, he was shot down over France and taken prisoner of war. During the year he spent as a prisoner, he was the American commander of the south compound, POW Camp Stalag Luft 1, Barth, Germany. For this duty, he was awarded the Bronze Star.

On his return to the United States in May 1945, he was assigned as air inspector for the 312th Base Unit, Barksdale, La., the 19th Tactical Air Command, Biggs Field, Texas, and at Granville, S.C. Following these tours Colonel Malmstrom moved to Langley AFB, Va., where he served as deputy for reserve forces, 9th Air Force, until August 1949, when he was enrolled as a student at the Air War College. After completing the course, he was assigned as the senior Air Force instructor at the Army War College for three years. From this post he was sent to Lockbourne AFB, Ohio, as division director of personnel, serving in that capacity until he transferred to the 407th Strategic Fighter Wing at Great Falls AFB, Mont., on Feb. 1, 1954 as deputy wing commander.

After only six months as deputy commander Colonel Malmstrom was killed in an aircraft accident on Aug. 21, 1954, near the city of Great Falls. He was survived by his wife, Kathryn, a son and a daughter.