Published in the Albuquerque Journal on Sunday July 04, 2004



Saul. Lt. Col. Saul Faktorow, USAF (Ret.), 82, passed away on Thursday, July 1, 2004 with his beloved wife, Barbara at his side. He was a resident of Albuquerque for almost 50 years. Saul was born in Philadelphia, PA on June 3, 1922. He is survived by his dear wife of 46 years, Barbara and her four sisters; his sister, Sylvia Oxman and husband Mort of Philadelphia; nephews, Tom Oxman, wife Sally, and children, and Robert Oxman, wife Andrea, and children; sister-in-law Beatrice Faktor; dear cousins; and many friends.



After two years at the University of Pennsylvania and the beginning of WWII, Saul joined the Army Air Corp as an Aviation Cadet in 1942. Upon graduation from basic and advanced flight training, he received his aviator wings and a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in February of 1944. After training, he transitioned to flying the P-47 Thunderbolt in a combat role and was assigned to the 390th Fighter Squadron, 336th Fighter Group in Normandy, France. His buddies called him "Flak."



As a career officer in the Army Air Corp/U.S. Air Force, Saul went on to fly F-86 and F-100 Sabre jets in Korea and the B-57 Canberra in Vietnam (two tours). Of all his flying duties, he was most proud of his 87 WWII combat missions in support of Allied ground troops and subsequent liberation of France. Saul was the recipient of the distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Metal with 16 oak leaf clusters, and numerous other U.S. and foreign citations.



Later in his military career he completed his degree and served as a Flight Safety Officer assigned to Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque. He found humor in the fact that he had never flown an airplane prior to his military flight training. Saul loved flying and continued to fly after he retired from the Air Force in 1968. He also liked fine automobiles and raced with professional drivers on occasion. He and Barbara enjoyed art, especially Southwest and Cowboy art. A craftsman of all sorts, he had a special passion for timepieces.



Saul was a loving husband, a man of principle, a loyal friend, and role model to many. The epitome of "an officer and a gentleman," he treated everyone with respect, charmed all who met him with his wonderful sense of humor, was a great listener, and never had an unkind word to say. Saul lived his life with a fierce love and loyalty for his wife, country, and fellow man. He will be missed. Cremation has taken place. Services will be held on Wednesday, July 7, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. The processional will leave from French Mortuary at 9:00 a.m. French Mortuary 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE 823-9400