- Date Of Birth: November 28, 1919
- Date Of Death: May 13, 2016
- State: Arizona
Dwight Eugene “Red” Mayo, retired Major in the USMC and Northern Arizona University History Department Professor Emeritus, died May 13th at his home in Flagstaff, AZ. He was 96.
Dwight was born on November 28, 1919, in Sherburn, MN to George Earl and Lois Lamyra (Harnden) Mayo. He was part of the “Greatest Generation” shaped by the Great Depression and World War II. He worked odd jobs from the time he was 12 to help support his family, enlisted in the military in 1942, and served courageously for the following 20 years.
He was a US Marine Corps (F4 U Corsair) fighter pilot in World War II, stationed aboard the Essex class aircraft carrier, USS Bennington in the Pacific Theatre. During the Korean War, he flew aerial observation flights and directed air strikes to support troops on the ground. During the early years of the Vietnam War, he transported advisory and support staff. He attained the rank of Major and was awarded many commendations, honors, and medals, including four Distinguished Flying Crosses, eleven Air Medals, and two Presidential Unit Citations (WWII, Korea).
After retirement from the Marine Corps at the age of 43, he earned his Master’s Degree in history from Arizona State University in 1964. In 1967, he earned his Doctoral Degree in the History of Science from the University of Oklahoma and went on to teach in the history department at Northern Arizona University full time from 1967- 1983 and part time until 1991.
In 1958, Dwight purchased a small log cabin in Spirit Lake, ID and spent his summers there for the remainder of his life. He inspired those around him with his love and delight of the outdoors, sharing countless hiking, camping, fishing, and skiing adventures with family and friends. He sang in choirs for over 80 years. He was a founding member of the Flagstaff Master Chorale, singing with the group for over 30 years and also the Flagstaff Oratorio Choir. He was devoted to his family and was diligent in continually visiting his relatives around the country. He loved hiking and fishing and took over 80 trips into the Grand Canyon, most often hiking the South Kaibab Trail at dawn and returning in time for dinner. He enjoyed water skiing and snow skiing. He skied at the Arizona Snowbowl until he was 86.
He was preceded in death his parents, his two brothers, Lloyd and Gordon and his sister, Helen Theobald. He leaves behind his wife, Jo Ann Mayo, 6 children, 9 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.
