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15855 Langstaff, Thomas Corbett
March 13, 1925 - November 13, 1953

usma1946

 

 MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jan '55

Thomas Corbett Langstaff  No. 15855  Class of 1946  Died November 13, 1953, in an Aircraft Accident, near Epping, Essex, England; aged 28 years.

     TOM CORBETT LANGSTAFF was born on a cold, stormy, windy, violent night of Friday, 13 March. He died in an unexplained air crash on Friday, 13 November 1953. Violent, stormy, temperamental, Tom was exactly the opposite--calm, cool and unexcitable.

     Tom Langstaff was a man who, according to "The Philosophy of Langstaff, T. C.", was here on earth ". . . to use whatever talents he has to make the world a more beautiful, agreeable and ordered environment for the following generations." In this he succeeded admirably.

     Not all of us have the patience, the determination or the ability to put into words our purpose in life, our goals, our reason for being. Tom did, and more than put his ideals into words, he suited his actions to these ideals.

     Few men of my acquaintance have had the sense of responsibility that Tom had. Responsibility to God, his country and his family. The first is reflected in verses from the Bible which he used as practicable applications in living this life. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free . . . for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." His wife said, "I think he had attained perfection -as near as any mortal can."

     Responsibility to his country, and to following generations, is evident in his decision to fight the enemies of our country wherever they could be found. To this end he continually volunteered, for the roughest missions and overseas assignments. Of six and a half years commissioned service, he spent over four years overseas.

     There are many pilots, Air Force, civilian, troop-carrier, transport, fighter and glider. Seldom is one person all of these. Tom was. Even more unusual is superior skill in all the various aircraft. Tom had the skill.

     In Alaska in 1948, I met a somewhat gruff colonel from Elmendorf Air Base. "Langstaff," he said reflectively, "We had a transport pilot here named Langstaff; best pilot in Alaska." Later tile colonel's adjutant looked me up to say that he hadn't known Tom but that was the first time in two years he'd ever heard the colonel say anybody was -good, and that Tom must have been a pilot par excellence.

     On Tom's being selected as aide to Lieutenant General G. E. Stratemeyer, Commanding General, Far East Air Forces, General Stratemeyer wrote, "He was picked by his Wing Commander solely on his capabilities and demonstrated operational efficiency as an F-80C pilot fighting in Korea."

     To say that Tom was reticent and unassuming is to evade the point. I know that he put his faith and trust in God and that he kept these words before him, "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord." Hence he believed that his accomplishments were not his alone. Promotions, awards, the DFC, Air Medals, Oak Leaf Clusters, Tom never mentioned them. You'd read of the exploits for which the medals were given in the newspaper or notice the promotion on the return address of a letter.

     He was an accomplished, courageous pilot with two tours in Korea, in which he flew interception, escort and attack missions, patrol and reconnaissance flights in F-51s, F--80s, F-84s and unarmed C-54s and C-199s. His war record included a long list of Communist targets destroyed as well as various decorations and commendations. But of far greater value, and of far more lasting impact, was the impression of Tom's character and integrity upon all who knew him.

     In his written "Philosophy . . . ."  he says in part ". . . (Tom) believes in the essential dignity of Man, and especially the essen-tial dignity of Langstaff, T. C."  This is the man that gave the lie to the words
"Familiarity breeds contempt."  Associa-tion with Tom gave a person profound re-spect for integrity, loyalty, and honor, and an everlasting belief in the inherent good-ness of man. Captain E. Lloyd Powers said, "His was tile quiet, resolute 'will to do' that inspires the meek to greatness and
maintains the imperishable standard, 'Duty, Honor, Country' ".

     He was a hard man to fool, even though he seemed the most naive and innocent person in the world. Rather than naiviete, I believe it was a frank and candid attitude that exposed sham and pretense the moment they appeared.

     If they are to grow, man's mental, moral and physical faculties must continually be exercised. Here Tom suited tests and games to conform to this need for practice. Mentally the power of concentration was very evident. When Tom got wrapped up in a book or some problem, you might as well "bar the door Nellie", because Tom wouldn't know if the house burned down. Sports were vehicles used to maintain the body in top physical shape. Even the more or less leisurely games took on added significance and enjoyment when viewed in this light. Exercise of the moral faculties was accomplished through self-denial. He continued to strive, not for personal deeds, but rather for personal faith, and was constantly bettering himself inwardly, which is far more soul-satisfying than outward things more clearly visible to others.

     One of his friends has said that Tom was the model that he wanted his sons to follow as they grew up. A Soldier, Gentleman and a Man of God, Tom's life is a challenge to the best in each of us. And may his wife, Anna Gail and daughter, Celeste Adine, born February 1954, remember that,

"E'en as he trod that day to God, so walked he from this birth
In simpleness, and gentleness, and honor
and clean mirth."

                                          --James D. Langstaff.
 
 
 
 
 

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