George Ernest Caldwell, 97, passed away peacefully at the Arizona State Veterans Home, Yuma, Arizona, on January 12, 2025 with his two youngest children by his side.

George was born on March 30, 1927, in Crawford, Texas to Harry Caldwell and Artie Inman Caldwell. He was raised in Oklahoma where his love for flying was inspired by an aerobatic stuntman who had come to his town to demonstrate the wonders of flight.

At 17 years old, George became a Cadet in the Civil Air Patrol in Oklahoma City.  He enlisted in the US Navy two days before his 18th birthday.  He served aboard the USS New Jersey in Pearl Harbor during World War II.

After serving in the Navy, George enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and became a statistical draftsman.  He was accepted into flight school and flew combat search and rescue in the Korean War flying the Sikorsky H5.  George flew many missions while in Korea and was awarded the Air Medal for Valor for the rescue of a U.S. Marine Corps pilot who had been shot down some 40 miles into North Korea.

George's flying career eventually took him to the U.S. Army where he served most of his total military career of over 21 years.  He served in the Vietnam War flying many missions in his beloved Boeing CH47 Chinooks.  He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross while in Vietnam for extraordinary heroism following his aircraft being struck by hostile automatic weapons fire which seriously damaged the helicopter and wounded three Soldiers on board.  George was also awarded the Air Commendation Medal while serving in Vietnam.

After retirement from the Army, George continued to fly as a civilian for the remainder of his life, providing flight instruction to the Army, flying oil rig crews in the Gulf of Mexico, and flying for leisure in his own airplane and others.  He logged well over 20,000 flight hours in jet, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

George was married for 63 years to Hildegard Caldwell of Heppenheim, Germany until her passing in March 2024.  Together, they raised their two children in the small town of Daleville, Alabama, where they both were very involved in their church, civic organizations, and military organizations.

George served in leadership roles within the First United Methodist Church of Daleville and sang in the choir.  He served four elected terms as a City Councilman of Daleville and was Troop Committee Chairman of Boy Scout Troop 30.

George was well known in his community as a man of honesty, integrity and hard work.  He always lent a helping hand to anyone who needed his help.  He was an excellent draftsman, builder, and was very skilled at upholstery work.

George and Hildegard traveled extensively in their retirement both abroad and in their RV motorhome. They enjoyed lifelong friendships and loved to travel, fly, play Bridge, play golf, and cook out.

George was an avid Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Braves fan.  He supported the Alabama Crimson Tide though part of his heart always belonged to the Oklahoma Sooners.  He kept his mind sharp all the way until his passing by reading and working the crossword puzzles in the newspaper.

He was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, and friend.  He expressed his faith in many conversations and would quickly attest to his belief and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

George is preceded in death by his wife and an infant grandson.  He is survived by his daughter Christina Dyken (Greg), daughter Diane Caldwell, son Thomas Caldwell (Rona), son Michael Caldwell (Marcella), 11 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

A special thank you to the care team and entire staff of the Arizona State Veterans Home in Yuma, Arizona for the outstanding care provided for George for the last four months of his life.  The care was above excellent.

A memorial service will be held on May 16, 2025 in Dallas, Texas with full military honors, wherein George and Hildegard will be interred together in the Dallas - Ft Worth National Cemetery.