Shelby County

Lt. Col. Marshall Buchanan Armstrong was born Sept. 29, 1927, to Glenn and Lena Armstrong in Midland, Va. 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, Fla. where he received his wings.

Marshall became a skilled Fighter Pilot, flying Corsair planes in more than 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 more than 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 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 Bachelors of Science degree from USC. Shortly there after, Marshall and his late wife relocated to NewPort Richey, Fla. 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. His present wife of 14 years, Maggie Armstrong and her family survive him.

In California, Marshall is survived by a nephew, Steve Finley and family, also a brother-in-law, Jim Finley, and wife. In Virginia, a cousin, Robert Leonard, and wife survive him.

A full military funeral will be officiated upon completion of the veteran’s memorial cemetery in Montevallo. Announcement of his funeral will be given to family and friends at that time. Charter Funeral Home