Retired Colonel Benjamin Studdard Malcom, age 94, of Peachtree City, GA peacefully passed away at his home on Monday, October 30, 2023.
He was born to the late Jamie and Mamie Malcom on a farm in Monroe, GA on December 20, 1928. The farmhouse had no electricity until 1936. He rode a bicycle to school from 1936-1945.
Colonel Malcom was a career officer who served in the United States Army from 1950-1979. He served with distinction in staff and command positions throughout the United States, Europe, and during combat tours-in Korea and Vietnam.
In 1950, he graduated from North Georgia College where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Auburn University. He was a graduate of the Infantry Officer’s Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Rotary Wing Aviation Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. War College.
Some of the awards and decorations that he received during his service time from July 25, 1950 to July 31, 1979 include: the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman’s Badge (he was also the first Special Forces Soldier to ever receive the CIB — it was recommended in 1952 and awarded to him in 1965), Aviation Badge, Airborne Badge, and 4 awards of the Legion of Merit.
Colonel Malcom is still known throughout the Armed Forces for laying the foundation for today’s Special Forces Operations. He wrote a book in 1996 called “White Tigers, My Secret War in North Korea” about his operations during the Korean War with Special Forces and the CIA. His wife, Joyce typed the book for him and, it is now in the third printing, the History Channel did a one-hour documentary film on the book in 2005, and the film has been shown over 150 times on national television.
He went on a speaking circuit and spoke about 20 times each year across the nation. He also taught four classes per year at the John F. Kennedy Special Forces School, Fort Bragg, NC from 1997-2020. The Special Forces School consider his operations in North Korea so important and relevant to current training that they have recalled Colonel Malcom back to active duty several times a year since his retirement in 1997. His operations in North Korea also brought major recognition to Special Forces, the U.S. Military, and the U.S. Government.
His final position on active duty was as Garrison Commander of three U.S. Army installations: Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem, in Georgia, and Fort Buchanan in Puerto Rico. He was inducted into the Georgia Military Hall of Fame in 2020.
After his retirement from active duty, he worked for 4 years as an Executive to the Chairman of the Board of Rollins, Inc., Atlanta, GA, a Fortune 500 Company.
Colonel Malcom married the love of his life, Joyce Swint Malcom, in 1955, and they were married for 56 years, traveling the world together. They moved 24 times in his 29 years of service and lived overseas for six years, three of those years they lived in Paris, France. Joyce passed away October 15, 2011.
They have one son, Ben T. Malcom, who survives them. He lives in Peachtree City, GA with his family.
It only seems fitting that a Celebration of Life will be held on his birthday, Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel at Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home & Crematory in Peachtree City, GA with full military honors. At a later date and time, he will be inurned next to his wife at Rest Haven Cemetery in Monroe, GA.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the scholarship fund at the University of North Georgia. Please make checks payable to: UNG Foundation, PO Box 1599, Dahlonega, GA 30533.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.carmichaelhemperleypeachtree.com for the Malcom family.
Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home & Crematory
135 Senoia Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269
