More detail on this person: ARMSTRONG, LT.
COL. MARSHALL BUCHANAN was born on
September 29, 1927 to Glenn and Lena Armstrong
in Midland, Virginia. After graduating high
school, he entered the Navy near the end of WWII.
At this time, he was a mechanical specialist on
airplanes.
He attended Mary Washington College for a couple
of years. Then Marshall joined the Marines as an
officer, entered the aeronautical school in
Pensacola, Florida where he received his wings.
Marshall became a skilled Fighter Pilot, flying
Corsair planes in over 125 missions off aircraft
carriers in the Korean War. For these missions, he
received the distinguished "Flying Cross". He
volunteered to fly helicopters in the Vietnam War
retrieving the wounded and dying plus other
missions, which totaled over 300 missions for this
war alone. Marshall earned many medals and
honors and became a heavily decorated officer and
a hero for our time. Some of Marshal's fondest
memories were bird hunting and target shooting.
Some of his greatest challenges were a safari to
African and Canada, earning him a variety of
trophies including a Lioness and 12-point Elk.
By the time he retired in 1969, he had completed a
Bachelor of Science degree from USC. Shortly
thereafter, Marshall and his late wife relocated
to NewPort Richey, Florida. There they established
small businesses and remained involved in the
business world until he moved to Alabama with his
present wife.
Marshall reflected his love for God by actively
supporting missions, missionaries and orphans in
this country and around the world.
He was married 39 years to the late Gloria Finley.
He is survived by his present wife of 14 years,
Maggie Armstrong and her family. In California,
Marshall is survived by a nephew, Steve Finley and
family also a brother-in-law, Jim Finley, and
wife. In Virginia, he is survived by a cousin,
Robert Leonard, and wife in Virginia.
A full military funeral will be officiated upon
completion of the veteran's Memorial Cemetery in
Montevallo, Alabama. Announcement of his funeral
will be given to family and friends at that time.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 10/23/2024
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