Norman E. Olson (March 19, 1915 – April 8, 1944) was a U.S. Army Air Forces World War II flying ace. He shot down seven[2] enemy aircraft in the European theatre of World War II. Olson died in aerial combat on April 8, 1944.[3][4] He was the first Ace pilot of the 355th Fighter Group.[5]
Captain Norman E. Olson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Norman E. Olson |
| Born | March 19, 1915 Winnipeg, Canada |
| Died | April 8, 1944 (aged 29) |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service | U.S. Army Air Force |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | |
| Awards | |
| Spouse(s) | Frances[2] |
Early life
editHe was born in Winnipeg, Canada and lived in Fargo, North Dakota. He graduated from Fargo High School. He spent two years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin attending Marquette university.[6] Before moving to Fargo, Olson spent time as a commercial photographer in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 1941 Olson enlisted in the United States Army.[2]
Career
edit
Olson enlisted in the Army in 1941 and was stationed in Europe in 1943.[6] Olson was flying a P-47 when he destroyed an enemy aircraft Bf 109 in aerial combat over Siegen on February 20, 1944.[7] Olson and his unit were returning from a mission over a Nazi airdome Brunswick, Germany, when Olson was shot down by ground fire. The other fighters in Olson's unit only made one pass, but Olson made three.[2]
Awards
edit- Air Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- Congressional Gold Medal (2015)[1]
- Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement[N 1]
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign
- Army Presidential Unit Citation
- Purple Heart
- United States Aviator Badge Army
- World War II Victory Medal
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b 113th Congress (23 May 2014). "H.R.685 – American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act". Congress.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d "Capt.Olson, U.S. Ace Shot Down Near Brunswick". Washington, Evening Star. 9 May 1944. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Norman E. Olson". The Wall of Valor Project. The Wall of Valor Project. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- ^ "Norman E Olson". Honor States. Honor States. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- ^ "Norman E Olson". American Air Museum in Britain. Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Fargo Ace Pilot". Bismarck Tribune. 5 July 1944. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- ^ a b Hammel, Eric (1994). Air War Europa: America's Air War Against Germany in Europe and North Africa. Pacifica, California: Pacifica Military History. p. 371. ISBN 979-8569101122. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
Further reading
edit- Hammel, Eric (2010) [1992]. Aces Against Japan. New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 9781890988081.
- Hammel, Eric (1998). Aces in Combat: The American Aces Speak. Vol. 5. Pacifica, California: Pacifica Military History. ISBN 0935553614.