Memorial

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Calvin O. Bjornsgaard's parents were of Norwegian/Swedish descent. He graduated from Benson High School in Portland. He continued his studies at the University of Oregon where he studied architecture. He was an artist and creative person. He was also nominated to enter West Point Academy.

He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Portland, Oregon on 28 January 1942. He had hopes of flying as a pilot, however, his perfect eyesight was in question. His skills were needed as a navigator. He graduated from Advanced Navigation School at Mather Field, California on 16 September 1942.

The airplane was shot down by flak. Five crew members survived and were taken prisoner, five men were killed.

It is believed that he was badly wounded in the groin. His crew mates placed a parachute on him and they all bailed out. It is thought that he bled to death by the time he landed. He was initially buried at the cemetery of Geestemünde, Germany on 21 April 1943.

His nephew, Paul Calvin Bjornsgaard, was born 27 days after Calvin perished. Before his death, Calvin had previously sent an inscribed silver child's drinking cup to his older brother Homer and his wife Dorothy. The mug read "From Uncle Cal". Today it is cherished by his nephew.