Obituary for Neal Sherwood Crist CRIST, Neal Sherwood (Major, USAF, Ret) A member of the “Greatest Generation” passed away on June 26, 2018. He was born on July 18, 1923 in King, Pennsylvania. Neal grew up on a farm in rural Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
In September 1941 at age 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces. After completing Aircraft Mechanic school, he was assigned to the Training Command as Crew Chief and Flight Engineer on Multiengine aircraft. He entered Flight Engineer School in March 1944, followed by Combat Crew Training at Clovis, New Mexico.
In November 1944, with his newly formed crew, he delivered an “off the assembly line” B-29 to India via the South Atlantic and Africa. From his base in India, he flew six bombing missions along the Malay Peninsula. In May 1945 his crew was transferred to Tinian where they joined the 444th Bombardment Group of the 20th Air Force.
He flew twelve bombing missions over Japan. Neal was airborne on his last combat mission the day the war ended in the Pacific. After the war, Neal was discharged and returned to Claysburg, Pennsylvania where he worked briefly in a brick yard as a machinist.
He reenlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1947 and requalified as a flight engineer in the B-29. During the Korean War, Neal flew 52 combat missions. In 1956, he was selected for B-36 flight engineer training and a direct commission as a 1st Lieutenant.
In 1959, Neal attended B-52 navigator training and upon graduation became an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO). During the period from 1966 to 1971 he flew five combat missions over Vietnam. He served as B-52 crew member, standardization/evaluation crew member, and wing staff planning officer until his retirement in 1971 at the rank of Major.
His decorations included the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 2 clusters, American Defense Service Medal, America Campaign Medal, Asia Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, Korean War Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. In 1971, Neal moved to El Paso, Texas where he enjoyed his retirement years. He was a member of American Legion Paso Del Norte Post 58, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Fort Bliss bowling league.
He attended the 444th Bomb Group reunions, went on ocean and river cruises, and enjoyed Las Vegas. He married the love of his life, Thelma Black, in 1948. He is survived by his wife, Thelma, and son, Rodney (Eveline).
Committal Service will begin at 10:00 am on Monday, July 2, 2018 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Hospice El Paso (www. hospiceelpaso.org).
Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Please visit our online register book at www. sunsetfuneralhomes.net.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Neal Sherwood Crist please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Committal 2018 Google, INEGI Terms of Use JUL 2. 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Fort Bliss National Cemetery 5200 Fred Wilson El Paso, TX, US, 79906 Order Flowers for the Committal Service Guaranteed delivery before Neal’s Committal Service begins.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
