Earl Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps, served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII.

Friends and family look at photos set out around the tables during the birthday party. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)
Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)

A comical newspaper cover made for Earl’s 100th birthday. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)
A Hometown Heroes poster at the entrance to Earl’s 100th birthday party. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)
A guest sign-in book and old photos of Earl’s life over the years at his 100th birthday party. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)

Photos of Earl’s long and storied life are set out around the tables at his 100th birthday party. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)
Bob Brown, Chair of the Harford County Veterans Commission, presents Earl Malwitz with a certificate of recognition for his service and his 100th birthday. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)
Gordon and Wendy Gehring, longtime neighbors and friends, look at old photos with Earl at the 100th birthday party. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)

Portrait of Earl Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)
Earl Malwitz, center, talks with family and friends at his 100th birthday party. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)
From left, Judy Daniel, Jack Pane, owner of Gioacchino Salon, and Earl having a laugh at the party. Jack has been a friend for decades and started cutting Earl’s hair at the salon in 1966. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)

His original flight jumpsuit and military uniforms from his service in the Army Air Forces, before it became a separate branch of the armed services. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)
While talking with friends Earl points to an old photo of him with his wife Gloria, who passed in 1998. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)
Bob Brown, Chair of the Harford County Veterans Commission, presents Earl Malwitz with a 250th Anniversary Harford County challenge coin for his 100th birthday. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)

Lindsay Parks wishes her grandfather a happy birthday at the party. Earl is still sharp and talks with family and friends about their lives and reminiscing about the past. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)
From left, Robin Malwitz, John Malwitz, son, Leslie Cain, daughter, Earl Malwitz, Nancy Malwitz, and Glenn Malwitz, son. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)
Earl with his friend of many decades Fred Willers, who was a pilot in the German Air Force post-WWII. Earl Frederick Malwitz, born on July 29, 1924, was a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps and served as a radar operator on the SS Marine Raven. The ship carried US troops and German prisoners of war to and from Europe during WWII. (Nate Pesce/Freelance)