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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Brennan Martin

Ernest J. Langlois Jr. was born on April 16, 1924. As a child, Ernest (nicknamed Petou) was fascinated with airplanes and aviation. He long aspired to be a pilot and would eat lots of carrots to improve his vision.

At the age of 19 he enlisted in the Army Air Force and was stationed in Malden, MO as part of the 1071st Basic Flying Training Squadron. On the evening of November 17, 1943, Petou was flying a BT-13 Vultee Vanguard on a night navigation mission. His plane went down and a local farmer later found the wreckage. The cause of the crash has never been completely determined. Just two weeks away from receiving his wings, Petou died living out his life's passion and dream.