Summary
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 | |
|---|---|
 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 edit
He 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 edit
References 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.