Richard L. Maggart, LTC, USAF (Ret.)
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
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He was born in Noble County on May 16, 1921, to Russell and Ruth Shock Maggart.
He was a 1939 graduate of Cromwell High School and attended Indiana University, Fort Wayne. A paragon of America’s Greatest Generation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. As a 22-year-old first lieutenant and a B-17 command pilot, he flew 32 missions in B-17s from England all over Europe during World War II. He flew his first mission to Sarreguemines, France, May 24, 1944, and two days later he took his crew and went on a raid to Mannheim, Germany, which was his first taste of an actual combat mission. During his 23rd combat mission to bomb Coubronne in France, his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire, knocking out the left inboard engine, moments later additional anti-aircraft fire knocked out the second engine. As the plane swung out of formation in an attempt to return to an English air force base the third engine was hit and knocked out and they were left flying on one engine. Miraculously, he was able to navigate his plane across the English Channel and crash land on English soil. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal. He returned to civilian life following World War II and ran the Wawasee Airport. With the outbreak of the Korean War he was called back to active duty and remained on active until the war ended. After the Korean War, he purchased Keller Kleaners, Peru, in 1953 and owned and operated it until his retirement in 1986. He also co-owned and operated Rolling Greens Golf & Dining, the former Mississinewa Country Club, from 1978-84. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He was a charter member and first Commander of the Cromwell American Legion Post. He also belonged to the Peru Elks Lodge, Peru Moose Lodge, Miami County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2067 and Cromwell Masonic Lodge 705. He was an avid Indiana University basketball fan and thoroughly enjoyed playing golf.
Surviving are two sons, Richard L. Maggart Jr., Peru, and David R. (and spouse Bonnie) Maggart, Phoenix, Ariz.; a daughter, Deborah Huff, Peru; grandchildren, Jennifer and Melissa Maggart; a sister, Rose Albrecht, Massillon, Ohio; and his former wife and the mother of his children, Helen Mowbray, Peru.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church, 102 W. Main St., Peru, with Pastor Larry Moslener officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Peru.
Calling is from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 W. Main St., Peru.
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Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church.
Condolences may be made via www.eddyfuneralhomes.com[[In-content Ad]]
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He was born in Noble County on May 16, 1921, to Russell and Ruth Shock Maggart.
He was a 1939 graduate of Cromwell High School and attended Indiana University, Fort Wayne. A paragon of America’s Greatest Generation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. As a 22-year-old first lieutenant and a B-17 command pilot, he flew 32 missions in B-17s from England all over Europe during World War II. He flew his first mission to Sarreguemines, France, May 24, 1944, and two days later he took his crew and went on a raid to Mannheim, Germany, which was his first taste of an actual combat mission. During his 23rd combat mission to bomb Coubronne in France, his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire, knocking out the left inboard engine, moments later additional anti-aircraft fire knocked out the second engine. As the plane swung out of formation in an attempt to return to an English air force base the third engine was hit and knocked out and they were left flying on one engine. Miraculously, he was able to navigate his plane across the English Channel and crash land on English soil. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal. He returned to civilian life following World War II and ran the Wawasee Airport. With the outbreak of the Korean War he was called back to active duty and remained on active until the war ended. After the Korean War, he purchased Keller Kleaners, Peru, in 1953 and owned and operated it until his retirement in 1986. He also co-owned and operated Rolling Greens Golf & Dining, the former Mississinewa Country Club, from 1978-84. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He was a charter member and first Commander of the Cromwell American Legion Post. He also belonged to the Peru Elks Lodge, Peru Moose Lodge, Miami County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2067 and Cromwell Masonic Lodge 705. He was an avid Indiana University basketball fan and thoroughly enjoyed playing golf.
Surviving are two sons, Richard L. Maggart Jr., Peru, and David R. (and spouse Bonnie) Maggart, Phoenix, Ariz.; a daughter, Deborah Huff, Peru; grandchildren, Jennifer and Melissa Maggart; a sister, Rose Albrecht, Massillon, Ohio; and his former wife and the mother of his children, Helen Mowbray, Peru.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church, 102 W. Main St., Peru, with Pastor Larry Moslener officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Peru.
Calling is from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 W. Main St., Peru.
*****
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church.
Condolences may be made via www.eddyfuneralhomes.com[[In-content Ad]]
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