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name
OLANDER, Richard B - Date of
birth
17 April 1922 -
Age
22 -
Place of birth
Wisconsin -
Hometown
Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-665223 -
Rank
Captain -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
505th Fighter Squadron,
339th Fighter Group
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
17 January 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Gladbeck, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 17 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Erich G. Olander (father)
Francis Olander (mother)
Donald Olander (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-15616 -
Data
Type: P-51D
Nickname: Pauline
Destination: Dummer Lake, Germany
Mission: Area patrol
MACR: 11863
More information
Capt Richard B. Olander graduated from William Horlick High School.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States on 28 January 1942 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was sent overseas in April 1944.
Statement of 1st Lt Robert W. Bloxham, who flew in the same mission: "On 17 January, I was flying number three man in Red Flight. Capt Richard B. Olander was group leader. After sweeping the target area in front of the bombers, going in and behind them part way out, we went down to strafe in the area west of Hanover. Capt Olander was hit with flak and steered a heading of 235 degrees for thirty minutes before I lost him in bad weather. There was moderate to severe rime icing in the clouds, and it is possible he had to bail out or crash-land because of icing. I lost him in the approximate area of Gladbeck, which is about fifty miles behind the enemy lines, at approximately 1320."
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans,Terry Hirsch, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census / Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, The Journal Times - 29 May 1944
Photo source: Michel Beckers, Don Olander, Peter Schouteten, Klaus Neitzke, The Journal Times - 29 May 1944