Arthur P. Stone

Died: February 6, 2016. He was 97 years old.

Arthur P. Stone, 97, Major, USAF Retired, WWII veteran, of Toms River and Lakewood, NJ, and Pine Knoll Shores, NC, died on Saturday, February 6, 2016. He was a graduate of Plainfield High School. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 69 years, Freda M. Stone (Peggy), son James J. Stone III, (Jimbo) sister Vivian Stone Sumner of Toms River, NJ, and brothers Col. James J. Stone II, USAF (Ret.), Corporal. Robert T.Stone, 2nd Lt. Richard W. Stone and Thomas Stone. He is survived by his daughter, Judith M. Stone, and her husband Patrick V. Walsh of Lakewood, NJ, two sons, Richard W. Stone II of Elkton, MD, and Toms River, NJ and Michael P. Stone and his wife Stephanie of Charlotte, NC, and four grandchildren, Robert Stone and his wife Solange of Charlotte, NC, Ryan P.A. Walsh of Long Beach, CA, Taylor Stone of Atlanta, GA, and Julia Stone of Elkton, MD.

“Stoney”, as he was known to friends and family, was born in Jamaica, Queens on January 7, 1919. He joined the US Army Air Corps as an enlisted man in 1937. When World War II broke out he entered flight training and was warranted as a flight officer pilot and earned his wings with “G” affixed “G for guts”, as gliders pilots like to say. He was then assigned to the 8th Air force, the 101st Airborne division and the 434th Troop Carrier Group in England.

On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Flight Officer Stone piloted his glider full of troops, gasoline and ammunition and successfully landed behind enemy lines near Ste Mere Eglise, France. As he descibed it, it was really a “crash landing” as glider pilots were instructed to head directly down and only to pull up for landing 75 feet above the ground. For the next ten days he lead combat patrols seeking out snipers. He was awarded the Air Medal and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He piloted a C-47 in Operation “Market Garden”, the invasion of Holland and relief for The Battle of the Bulge.

While stationed in England he met and married his lovely wife Peggy. After the war, he remained in the Air Force and was posted to the allied occupation in Germany during which he participated in the Berlin Airlift. He went on to serve as an intelligence officer and Criminal investigator (AFCIS), until he retired after 23 years in1960. During his Air Force career he was stationed, among other places, in Bangor, Maine, Westover AFB, Massachusetts, Gander, Newfoundland, Thule, Greenland, Germany twice, and Portland, Oregon.

In addition to his Glider Pilot Wings he was awarded the Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, European Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, German Occupation Medal, National Defense Medal, Two Air Force Longevity Awards with three bronze arrows and three oak leaf clusters as well as a Presidential Unit Award.

After the US Air Force Stoney moved his family to Toms River, NJ, and worked for Allstate Insurance as a claims adjuster.

Stoney served on the Toms River, NJ School Board from February, 1966 to March, 1975, as a member and eventually as president. During his tenure he oversaw the building of several schools including Toms River North High School.

After retiring from Allstate, Stoney and Peg moved to Pine Knoll Shores, NC, where he enjoyed golf, bridge, bowling, cooking for men’s golf events and many friends. He served as president and treasurer of the Bogue Banks Country Club. In August, 2013, Stoney and Peg moved back to New Jersey.

A Celebration of Life service will be Sat., Feb. 13, 2016, at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main St., Toms River, NJ.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Holisticare Hospice, 1-844-254-4400.