Major Harold F. “Hal” Muth

Major Harold F. “Hal” Muth, USMC (Retired), died peacefully on November 4, 2018.  He was born on January 22, 1924 to the late Owen Harold Muth and Miriam C. Hains Muth in Avon, PA.  Major Muth grew up in Lebanon and graduated from South Lebanon High School in 1941.  Major Muth earned his BS in Accounting from Jacksonville University in 1972 and a BS in Management, Magna cum Laude, from Jones College, Jacksonville, FL in 1975.

Major Muth was a member of Summit Community Church in Morganton and a member of the Hickory Aviation Museum in Hickory, NC. 

Major Muth enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942, receiving his recruit training at Parris Island, SC. Originally trained as a metalsmith, his great potential was recognized, and he was immediately reassigned to flight school in Memphis and later in Pensacola.  After receiving his wings upon completion of primary flight training in 1945 in the N2S Stearman, he continued to receive his rating in the SNJ-4 (AT-6) Texan in 1947. This began an amazing career that would take Major Muth across the globe in variety of assignments training combat and support aircraft crews in an impressive array of aircraft type-model-series. Subsequent to the Texan, Major Muth acquired ratings in the SNB Navigator; JRB-4 Expeditor; FG-1D & F4U-4 Corsairs; RF-4D Motor Glider; F7F-3 Tigercat; F2H-2 Banshee; AD-6 Skyraider; TV-2 (T-33) Shooting Star; A-4D Skyhawk; UH-34D Seahorse; CH-46 Sea Knight; and the CH-53 Sea Stallion.  His total flight time was over 4600 flight hours.

 A true “Mustang” Marine for his aviation service, both as a “Flying Sergeant” enlisted man and an officer.  Major Muth obtained virtually every aircraft skill qualification, punctuated by his assignment as flight instructor in more than 8 type-model platforms. He was assigned to instruct advanced flying techniques, including acrobatics, precision bombing, photo-reconnaissance, strafing and aerial combat.  He holds additional qualifications in Ground Control Approach operations.

His numerous decorations include 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroic service while serving with HMM-161. He has 26 Air Medals, the WWII Victory Medal, 3 Presidential Unit Citations, and numerous Vietnam campaign and Korean service recognitions.

Throughout his distinguished 27+ year career, Major Muth dedicated himself to selfless service to his country and his men, answering every call as new assignments were presented.  In the end, he proved to be a no-nonsense, genial leader of extraordinary ability; a consummate professional and a Marine for all Marines to emulate.

Surviving are daughters Nancy Gail Muth of Morganton, NC; Lisa Renee Muth Cassidy and Brian Cassidy of Jacksonville, FL; Judy Muth Peterman of Richmond Hill, GA; grandchildren Stacey Leigh Duininck and great-grand daughter Natalie; Amanda Peterman Veneski and great-grand daughter Lennon; Mallory Peterman Morris and great-grandson Kelly; ex-daughter-in-law Andrea Muth, grandson Taylor Muth and granddaughter Meagan Muth; sisters Rowena Fink and Beatrice Kreider, both of Lebanon, PA.

He was preceded in death by his wife (Bertha) Beverlee Hartley Muth and son Michael Martin Muth; sisters Anna Zimmerman, Lita Parker, Margaret Shilling, Inez Wolf, and a brother, Thomas A. Muth.

Sossoman Funeral Home, Morganton, NC is serving the family with local arrangements.  Major Muth will be honored and buried at the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA at a yet undecided date.