Carmen A. Malone, 56, of Lancaster, died Wednesday, April 13, 2010 at Hershey Medical Center.  Born in Dunmore, PA, Carmen was the son of Genevieve A. (Gatto) Malone of Lancaster, and the late Benjamin D. Malone.

A 1971 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School, Carmen was a manager for all sports teams.

Carmen was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

Chief Master Sergeant (Retired) Carmen Malone served honorably in the United States Air Force for 30 years.  He entered active duty in 1974 and was initially assigned to Titan II missile combat crew duty with the 308th Strategic Missile Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base, AR.  During his time in the 308th, Carmen served as a Missile Facilities Technician (MFT), and he filled the positions of line, instructor, and evaluator MFT.  In 1984 and 1985, Carmen was hand-selected to represent the 308 ^th at the Strategic Air Command's Missile Competition, commonly referred to as Olympic Arena.  In this prestigious position, Carmen represented his Wing with distinction, and in 1985 helped lead his team to Best in Strategic Air Command honors, signifying him as the Command's top MFT. In 1992, Carmen transferred to the 341st Strategic Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls, MT.  While there he served with honors in a variety of key missile maintenance positions, culminating as Maintenance Superintendent, 341st Field Missile Maintenance Squadron. In 1993, while still at the 341st, Carmen's superb leadership was recognized by promotion to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, the Air Force's highest enlisted grade.  Following this assignment, Carmen was transferred to Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, CO, to serve on the Air Force Space Command's Inspector Team.  In this capacity, Carmen led inspection teams which evaluated Space and Missile units worldwide to ensure compliance with the highest operational and nuclear safety standards.  Chief Malone was the assigned as Maintenance Superintendent, 341 Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB MT, providing daily supervision and oversight for the repairs and inspections on 200 remote Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) and 20 Launch Control Facilities ensuring the safe and secure operations of this nation's most critical nuclear assets.  His final assignment was Chief of Inspections, Air Force Space Command, Inspector General, Peterson AFB CO charged with the responsibility of verifying the safe, secure and effective operations of entire ICBM force and this nations important Space Operations. In 2004, following 30 years of exceptional service to the Air Force and his country, Carmen retired from the Air Force and returned to his home in Lancaster, PA.

Carmen was the epitome of the professional Air Force Non Commissioned Officer, and he viewed  the Air Force as his second family.  Respected alike from the youngest airmen to the most senior officers, Carmen set the standard for excellence.  He possessed the rare ability to set and enforce the highest standards for his troops, while at the same time treating them with the utmost dignity and respect.  For this he earned their unending loyalty, and in doing so inspired an entire generation of young airmen and officers to aspire to his unmatched level of dedication and service.

A member of the Air Force N.C.O Club, on his rare off-duty time, Carmen enjoyed working on cars, and he was particularly proud of the silver Corvette he owned while at Little Rock, which he always maintained in pristine condition.  He also occasionally enjoyed golf, travel, and fishing, but his real loves were his family and the Air Force, and to both of these he dedicated his life.

Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his sister, Mary Ann Malone, of Lancaster, nieces and nephews, Benjamin D. Malone, III, Melissa R. Saunders, Timothy P. Malone, Jr., aunts, uncles, and cousins, Amber M. Rhoads, Jeffrey D. Schwanger, and Kody M. Scruton.  He was preceded in death by two brothers, Benjamin and Timothy.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 501 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA 17602 on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Daniel Mitzel as Celebrant.  Viewings will be held at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 414 E. King St., Lancaster, PA 17602 on Tuesday from 2 until 4 PM and 6 until 8 PM, and on Wednesday from 9:30 until 10:30 AM.  The Rosary will be recited Tuesday evening at 7:45 PM.  Interment will take place in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at 2:30 PM.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carmen's memory may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society, c/o St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 501 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA 17602.  To send an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com.