Captain Langston was the pilot of a F-84E Thunderjet fighter with the 182nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 136th Fighter Bomber Wing. On 10 March 1952, while on a combat mission of strafing enemy positions, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded. His remains were not recovered.

For his leadership and valor, Captain Langston was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Commendation Ribbon, the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.