Charles Sweeting

Charles Glen Sweeting military and aviation historian, noted author, retired Curator Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, retired Air Force Master Sargent, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 1, 2019. He is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Alice Joyce Sweeting, daughter Linda Sweeting, son-in-law Thomas Campbell, and son Thomas Sweeting.

A history buff from an early age, Glen built his careers upon his interests. Immediately out of high school, he joined the National Guard. In 1951, he enlisted in the Air Force. While stationed in Germany he began his collection of World War II military books and militaria. The uniforms, weaponry and other WWII items were procured by the Imperial War Museum in England and are on display in the Sweeting Room. His library is one of the largest privately held collections on military and aviation history in his genre. During his Air Force career his assignments included the Air Force Office of Information at the Pentagon, USAF headquarters in London and Wiesbaden Germany, and as a lecturer at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. He established the Air Defense Command Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and was a designer and curator of the Air Force Space Museum in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Retiring from the Air Force in 1972 he joined the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum as a Curator of Flight Materiel. It was there that he wrote his first book, Combat Flying Clothing (1984). Retiring from the Smithsonian in 1985, he continued writing and published Combat Flying Equipment (1989) and five other books. He also wrote numerous military history and aviation magazine articles and presented many lecture presentations.

On Tuesday, July 9, friends may visit with the family starting at 11:00 am with a brief prayer service at 1:00 pm, at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20904. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.