- Date Of Birth: November 16, 1919
- Date Of Death: June 10, 2009
- State: Florida
Orville A. “Mak” Maki
1919 ~ 2009
Orville A. Maki, beloved father and grandfather, passed from this life at his home, June 10, 2009. He was born November 16, 1919, in Ironwood, Michigan and both his parents were Finnish immigrants who immigrated to America. After completion of high school and junior college, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in May, 1941. He received his wings on December 14, 1941 at Ellington Field, Texas. He was stationed in India during the war and was assigned to fly C-46’s on the China – Burma – India route, better known as the “Hump”. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with oak leaf clusters during his tour of duty and he completed 97 sorties over the Hump. His twenty-three years in the United States Air Force were highlighted by flying in the Berlin Airlift (1948 – 1949), command pilot of Boeing B-47 stratojet which flew non-stop from Edwards A.F.B. in California to the International Aviation exposition in Detroit, Michigan on September 4, 1952. This flight recorded the fastest time officially in the world for a jet bomber. Major Maki was assigned to the Strategic Air Command at Pinecastle A.F.B. (McCoy) from 1952-1956 where he served as an instructor in Air Refueling and B-47 flight procedures. He was assigned to Eglin A.F.B. from 1956-1958 as a test pilot for armament exercises and from 1958-1962 he flew the C-47 and C-130A model during a tour in Japan. He retired from the USAF in 1963 as a Lieutenant Colonel with over 10,000 hours military pilot time, 1000 hours as a civilian and he was a test pilot for Fairchild-Hiller. He retired to Fort Walton Beach, FL in 1963 with his family and both of his children graduated from Choctawhatchee High School. More importantly, he gave back to the community he loved so much. He was a Northwest Florida Track Club member beginning in 1973, raced in the first Billy Bowlegs run in 1975 and remained active for decades. Additionally, he was an art sculptor and his wooden designs could be seen at the Artisan and numerous art shows. Finally, he was the ultimate walker and he will truly be missed by his friends along the route of Monahan, Pocahontas, Revere and Beal Street.
“Mak” participated in the first Emerald Coast Honor Flight honoring World War II veterans in Washington, D.C. at the World War II Memorial. He said “it was the thrill of a lifetime”. Special thanks to Congressman Jeff Miller, Tom Rice and all the great volunteers who made this memorable trip possible for all our WWII veterans.
He is survived by his loving daughter, Dianne Lange, husband Jeff and their beautiful children Molly and Nathan. He is survived by his loving son, Duff Maki, wife Peggy and their three lovely daughters, Stephanie, Courtney and Jennifer and their children Sydney Rene, Carson Lee and Claire Kathleen.
