Malcolm T. Wordell; Much-Decorated World War II Fighter Pilot

Malcolm T. Wordell, 84, a World War II fighter pilot who won the Distinguished Flying Cross three times for shooting down seven planes. The ace flier also had the distinction of graduating from the Naval Academy without a demerit. An Arts & Entertainment cable channel documentary said he was the only midshipman ever to do so. Wordell’s war exploits as a Navy pilot in North Africa were detailed in the 1992 book “Wildcats Over Casablanca.” He also won two Navy Crosses, five Air Medals, a Purple Heart and a Navy Unit Citation. As a civilian, he was an airport manager and then became a Southern California planner and activist who was president of La Mesa Beautiful. On Monday in San Diego of a heart attack.