5/30/2008
Max Noftsger, 88, died on Monday May 19, 2008, at Lenoir Memorial Hospital. Max
was born in Knoxville to the late Glenn 0. Noftsger and June (Powers) Noftsger.
He was a member of the Columbia Methodist Church in Columbia. A memorial service
was held at the First Presbyterian Church chapel, on Thurdsay with Pastor Mary Gale
officiating. Interment was in Columbia Cemetery in Columbia.
He is survived by his,
loving wife Mary (Willson) Noftsger of Kinston, N.C. and sister Mrs. Adam (Virginia)
Patterson of Whittier, Calif., and multiple nieces and nephews.
Max and Mary Noftsger
celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2007. They were married June 29, 1947,
at the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings, Neb.
Max served as a Captain in the
Army Air Corps for four years during WWII as a fighter pilot with the 76th Fighter
Squadron – 23rd Fighter Group – 14th Air Force and flew with the Flying Tigers in
China.
He was shot down and wounded and received the Purple Heart. In addition,
he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign
medal, the World War H Victory Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross awarded
to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes
himself or herself in combat in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary
achievement while participating in an aerial flight."
In addition, Max received
the "Chinese" medal from the Chinese Ambassador to Taiwan and Anna Chennault, wife
of General Claire Chennault. Max also served for two years in the Air Force during
the Korean War as site Controller in Northern Michigan.
Max was a past Commander
of the Kinston Power Squadron where he taught classes on boating safety and proper
boating procedures. He received the "Full Navigation" certificate and created the
Power Squadron National Training program. In addition, he was awarded the "Tony
Carey Award" for outstanding contribution to the Kinston Power Squadron.
Max worked
as a Rural Mail Carrier for the US Postal Service for 39 years in both Iowa and
North Carolina, retiring in 1980. He received several safety awards while employed at the Postal Service.
Knoxville Journal-Express