Archer S. Alston

Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) Resident of Arlington, VA for more than fifty five years, passed away July 14, 2013 at Sunrise George Mason. He was 94. Born July 24, 1918 in Starkville, MS, he was the only child of Harry and Effie Alston. His wife, Lucy Alston died in 1990. After receiving a BS in Commercial Aviation from Mississippi State University in 1940, Arch joined the Army as an Aviation Cadet and was Honorably Discharged in 1942 to accept a commission as a 2nd Lt. in the US Air Force. He served in the USAF for 27 years as a Transportation Staff Officer assigned to the Pentagon, Europe, and the Far East and was a leader in pioneering innovations in forecasting and analyzing. He was awarded the Joint Services Commendation Medal in 1968 and retired from the USAF in 1970. In his retirement years Arch earned an MA in Art from American University, then traveled and lived in Paris, Japan and Starkville before returning to Arlington. He is survived by children Harry Alston (Lil Reitzel), Joe Alston, Cindy Currle (Kenny), grandchildren Jonathan Currle (Leslie), Chris Currle, Kasey Currle, Lacey Currle Tisinger (Bryan), Zak Alston and great grandchildren Kelly, Katie and Lucy Currle. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors will be at a later date.