Scott AFB says goodbye to a Titan Airman Published April 19, 2013 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Tonight the Scott Club will drape a table in black with a single rose to signify the passing of a retired Lt. Col. Herschel Malvin, whom many in the community regarded as a Titan of an Airman. Malvin, who was a Friday-night regular at the Club, died April 14 at the age of 91. He resided in Collinsville and will be buried in nearby Sunset Hill Cemetery. His funeral is 11 a.m. Saturday, April 20, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, with a visitation from 4-8 p.m. at Herr Funeral Home, both in Collinsville. In 2007, the Belleville News Democrat published a feature by reporter Scott Wuerz about Malvin's experiences as a B-24 bomber pilot during World War II: "In World War II bombers, the pilot couldn't maneuver the plane while the bombardier was lining up the target with his Norden bombsight. Crews were sitting ducks during the last few seconds before the bombardier shouted "bombs away!" After one particularly rough mission, during which his plane was heavily damaged by flak, Malvin limped back to base and got into formation to land. He orbited the field and lined up the runway, but was mysteriously too high when he made his final approach. He couldn't get the shot-up plane to descend, no matter how much he let up on the throttle. Knowing conditions were already dicey because he only had enough brake pressure for one landing attempt, Malvin had to cut the engines and attempt a dead stick landing. It was a white-knuckle ride, but he touched down safely. On the ground, the crew discovered that all four throttle cables to the B-24's 1,200-horsepower Pratt & Whitney radial engines had been severed by flak. Malvin earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for bringing his crew back safely on that day." Maj. Gen. Barbara Faulkenberry, 18th Air Force vice commander, knew Malvin--he even took part in the ceremony pinning her to brigadier general--as did any other Airman who listened to his war stories. "I was truly inspired by Herschel Malvin," she said. "He would 'hold court' at the Club and relate stories of airmanship, daring, and courage from World War II that just enthralled today's aviators. He carried himself with a swagger that endured until the end. Herschel and Paulette, his bride and Vietnam War Red Cross volunteer for the wounded arriving at the Scott AFB Hospital, are part of the Air Force heritage that lives on in today's Airmen. " It should be noted that when the Malvins celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary their names were placed on their favorite table in the lounge. A longtime Club legend has it that one night Malvin came to the Club only to find a four-star general sitting at "his" table. He promptly told the general, who obliged and moved to another--thus adding to Malvin's legendary status among Scott Airmen. Malvin is survived by his wife, Paulette, six children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.