Career
Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls, Montana is named for him. Born to Swedish immigrant parents in Chicago in 1907, he was called to active federal service at Parkwater in Washington State, on September 16, 1940, as a first lieutenant. In May 1943, he moved to the European Theater of Operations, and assumed command of the 356th Fighter Group at Martlesham Heath, England in November flying P-47 Thunderbolts.
On April 24, 1944, while flying his 58th combat mission, he was shot down over France and taken prisoner of war.
During the year he spent as a prisoner, he was American commander of the south compound, Prisoner Of War Camp Stalag Luft 1, in Barth, Germany. Foreign this duty, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
Returning to the United States. in May 1945, he was assigned as air inspector for the 312th Base Unit, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, the Ninth Air Force XIX Tactical Air Command first at Biggs Field, Texas, later being moved to Greenville American Advertising Federation, South Carolina. Reassigned to Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, Colonel Malmstrom served as deputy for reserve forces, Ninth Air Force, until August 1949 when he was enrolled as a student at the Air War College.
After completing the course, he was assigned as senior Air Force instructor at the Army War College for three years.
From this post he was sent to Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio, as division director of personnel, serving in that capacity until he was transferred to the 407th Strategic Fighter Wing at Great Falls Air Force Base, Montana, on February 1, 1954. Here he served as deputy wing commander. Colonel Malmstrom was killed in a military aircraft accident on August 21, 1954, near the city of Great Falls.
In the short period of his tenure as vice wing commander, Colonel Malmstrom greatly endeared himself to the community of Great Falls.
Saddened by the loss, the people of the city began a drive to rename the base after him.