Dates

• Usage: 1911 - 1996

Biographical Note

Malcolm Taber Wordell (1911-1996) was a U.S. Navy fighter pilot and ace during World War II.

Malcolm Taber Wordell was born on May 22, 1911 in Dartmouth, Massachusetts to Martin and Alice (White) Wordell. He graduated from New Bedford High School in 1928, and entered the Navy at age 17. Two years later he received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, graduting in the Class of 1935. Wordell was a fighter pilot, earning ace status and is credited with seven aerial victories. During World War II, he was captured in Morocco and later freed by French forces. He documented his experience in the book, Wildcats Over Casablanca. Wordell retired from ilitary service as a U.S. Navy Captain.

Post-war, Wordell was airport manager for the New Bedford Municipal Airport in 1947 and again from 1950 to 1958. He married Ruth (Steinmetz) Packard (1914-2010). Wordell died February 26, 1996 in La Mesa, California.

Sources:

Collection materials and Ancestry.com

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