Oscar Randolph Fladmark, Jr.

Oscar Randolph Fladmark, Jr.
Oscar Randolph Fladmark, Jr.
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
Air Medal

Oscar Randolph Fladmark, Jr. (June 23, 1922 - July 27, 1955) was a Sioux Falls, South Dakota fighter pilot who flew 164 "no-injury" combat missions in the Second World War and the Korean War. Fladmark received The Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) during his military career. Just a few years after the Korean War, Major Fladmark, at 33 years of age, was killed in a tragic automobile accident in Yuma, Arizona on July 27, 1955.

Contents

Biography

Early history

Oscar Randolph Fladmark, Jr. was (born) in Moe Township, Lincoln County, South Dakota on June 23, 1922. His (father) Oscar C. Fladmark, Sr. came from Alesund, Norway located on the western coastal fjord region of the country and had moved to South Dakota after 1900. His (mother) Pethryn Hanson was also of Scandinavian descent and came from Hudson, South Dakota. While growing up he had one younger (sibling) Lorentz W. Fladmark and had numerous Uncles, Aunts and Cousins. Oscar Fladmark, Jr. attended school in Canton, South Dakota and was active in sports and became Captain of his high school football team. Later, the family relocated to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, while there he attended Augustana College in the 1940s. The Roaring 1920's was a decade where many individuals and businesses prospered. The 1930s Great Depression, which devastated the agricultural economy of the Midwest, had caused considerable dislocation for a large segment of the society.

World War II

With the onset of the Second World War, the FDR Administration was burdened with the daunting insurmountable task of leading the nation in a Global struggle against tyranny. In WWII, the Eight Air Force bomber Command was organized in January 1942 as an understudy of the British system of bomber operations by Major General Ira C. Eaker[1]In December 1942 General Eaker assumed command of the 8th Air Force in England. Later, he became commanding general of all U.S. Army Air Forces in the United Kingdom. During World War II, Oscar R. Fladmark, Jr.[2] was chosen an aviation cadet and to undergo training with the United States Army Air Corp. He trained at various military bases located in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida and Virginia. He was inducted in June of 1942 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and received his Wings in the United States Army Air Corps in April of 1943. He was transferred to the European Theater of Operations (ETO) in England on August 20, 1943 for Active Duty with the 8th Air Force. Lt. Oscar R. Fladmark, Jr. flew combat missions with the 359th Fighter Group commanded by Colonel Avelin P. Tacon, Jr. based at the RAF station in East Wretham, England. Initially, the group flew the P47 Thunderbolt fighter and later was replaced with the P51 Mustang fighter. Lt. O.R. Fladmark flew combat mission strikes over Munich, Saarbrucken, Regensburg, Schweinfurt, Ebelsbach, Neuaubing, Hanover, Normandy, Mery, Oise River, Sens. St. Ouen and Genevilliers near Paris.[3] On November 2, 1944, the Associated Press wired a report on the Battle of Merseberg[4] (Which was one of the Great Aerial Battles of the Second World War) near Leipzig, Germany. Lt. O.R. Fladmark flew with an armada of 1100 bombers and 900 fighters where they had encountered over 400 Luftwaffe fighters on the way to a combat mission near Berlin, Germany. During the Battle of Merseberg, over half of the Luftwaffe fighters were destroyed by the 8th Air Force setting a new record. Captain Oscar R. Fladmark[5] completed a total of 64 combat missions over Nazi Germany and received The Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters. After the tour of duty he was transferred to the United States on January 24, 1945. He was stationed in Santa Ana, California until wars end. Captain Fladmark was discharged from the U.S. Army Air Corp. in 1945 and relocated to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After WWII, Oscar Fladmark continued his education at Augustana College and also flew with Professor Robert Branson's flying aerobatic team of Flandreau, South Dakota.

In 1946

The War Department gave authorization to establish Air National Guard units in all 48 states with three units composed of a wing in Sioux Falls, Sioux City and Des Moines, Iowa. The Air National Guard 35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing[6] was organized by Colonel Frederick C. Gray, Jr.[7] who was a veteran of the RAF and 8th Air Force during WWII. Colonel Gray, based in Des Moines, Iowa, acted as wing senior instructor for the three Air National Guard units which comprised the wing. Colonel Gray's appointment was made by Brigadier General Charles H. Grahl, Iowa Adjutant General on June 26, 1946.


In 1946, Oscar R. Fladmark, Jr. was appointed to the rank of Captain and the duty of a Flight Commander with the Air National Guard 175th Fighter Squadron[8] based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Captain Fladmark's appointment was approved by Colonel E.A. Beckwith, South Dakota Adjutant General in Rapid City, South Dakota on September 20, 1946. Captain Fladmark flew with Colonel Gray when he headed the South Dakota Air National Guard in 1946. Oscar Fladmark, Jr. completed his Bachelor Arts Degree at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1948. He also worked for the local newspaper the Argus Leader.

Korean War

With the outbreak of hostilities on the Korean peninsula, the Truman Doctrine pursued a policy of containment by NATO forces with the Air Force as central to this policy. Major General Frank F. Everest[9] became commanding general of the Fifth Air Force, Far East Forces, in Korea in May 1951. Through his efforts, the 5th Air Force became a powerful fighting machine which was able to attain, and maintain, air superiority over the enemy. In mid-1952 he was appointed deputy commander of the Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base, VA.

Oscar R. Fladmark, Jr. married Phyllis Peterson on November 13, 1950 at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Captain Oscar Fladmark was recalled into the Air Force on November 14, 1950 for training in jet fighters and a tour in the Korean War. In February 1951, Captain Oscar Fladmark[10] reunited with a flying friend as he was assigned to the 35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing which was reactivated by Colonel Frederick Gray.[11] The 35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing was a component of the 5th Air Force, Far East Forces. During the Korean War he had flown 100 combat missions over North Korea. A report from Headquarters of the 13th Air Force at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, reads:

"Captain Oscar Fladmark, son of Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Fladmark, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and husband of Mrs. Phyllis Fladmark, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was recently awarded THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. Assigned as a pilot for the 44th Fighter Bomber Squadron, Philippines Command (Air Force) and 13th Air Force, Clark Air Force Base, Philippines, Fladmark received the award for exceptionally meritorious service performed on April 24, leading a flight of four F-51 type aircraft on a close support mission, Fladmark displayed airmanship by leading his flight to the target area near Hwachon, Korea, in below marginal weather where the flight carried out a series of devastating attacks on the enemy. With Napalm rockets and machine guns, Fladmark led the flight in pass after pass on the enemy in hazardous mountainous terrain. Only after maximum results had been achieved did Fladmark reassemble his flight and proceed to his home base. Due to the nature of the target and the type of attack it was impossible to ascertain the exact destruction wrought on the enemy by Fladmark but the flight was credited with over 100 Communist troops killed. As a result of this highly successful mission the enemy's drive in the Hwachon area was greatly impeded."[12]

Midwest

Captain Oscar R. Fladmark, Jr. was stationed with the 85th Fighter Interceptor Group at Belleville, Illinois in September 1951. While there a (son) Gary L. Fladmark was born. Later he was transferred to the 326th Fighter Intercepter Group located at Grandview, Missouri in June 1954. While there a (daughter) Vicki L. Fladmark was born. In 1954, Captain Oscar R. Fladmark, Jr. was given an award for exceeding the Speed of Sound in a F86 Sabre Fighter Jet by North American Aviation of Inglewood, California.[13]

In 1955

In July 27, 1955, the Associated Press wired a report on an accident which read "S.F. PILOT KILLED IN ARIZONA CAR CRASH,"[14] Victim was not hurt in 164 missions. The Kansas City Star Newspaper Front Page Headlines (Above the Fold) wrote "CAR KILLS THREE AIRMAN."[15] Major Oscar R. Fladmark, Jr. 33, Sioux Falls pilot who flew 164 no-injury combat missions in two wars, was killed last night in an automobile accident near Yuma, Arizona. Major Fladmark, two other Air Force officers and a General Electric Gas Turbine Engineer who was driving a 1955 Ford Fairlane Hardtop Convertible at high rate of speed overturned killing the men. Major Fladmark was training with the 326th Fighter-Interceptor Group at Grandview, Missouri, Air Force Base, HQ-Central Air Defense Force. Major Fladmark was a Prote'ge' of Major General Jarred V. Crabb,[16] Commander, Central Air Defense Force at the time of the accident.

Funeral services

Major Fladmark,[17] Sioux Falls pilot who had flown 164 combat missions during World War II and the Korean War without injury, was killed Tuesday night in a one-car accident near Yuma, Arizona. A former member of the Argus Leader Advertising department. Major Fladmark was training with the 326th Fighter-Interceptor Group at Grandview, Missouri, Air Force Base, HQ-Central Air Defense Force. While in Sioux Falls he was a Flight Commander of the Sioux Falls Air National Guard 175th Fighter Squadron holding the rank of Colonel.

Funeral services were held at First Lutheran Church at 2pm Tuesday for Major Oscar R. Fladmark, Jr. 33 (Funeral Service was the Second Largest ever held at First Lutheran Church). Officiating the Funeral Service was the Reverend Robert Borgwardt. A Flight of Planes flew over the Hills of Rest Memorial Park in The Diamond Formation with the lead position left vacant which was the normal position where Major Fladmark flew. Military Rites were conducted at the graveside with Air Force personnel from St. Louis, Illinois and Kansas City, Missouri and the Governor of South Dakota. Among his survivors were his wife Mrs. Phyllis M. Fladmark, son Gary L. Fladmark, daughter Vicki L. Fladmark, father Oscar C. Fladmark, Sr., mother Pethryn Fladmark and a brother Captain Lorentz W. Fladmark.

Awards

Major Oscar R. Fladmark, Jr. awards received -

  1. Distinguished Flying Cross (United States), Right
  2. United Nations Korea Medal, Right
  3. United Nations (UN) Korean Service Medal, Right
  4. National Defense Service Medal, Right
  5. Air Medal w/10 Oak Leaf Clusters, Right
  6. American Campaign Medal - WWII (with three battle stars), Right
  7. European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_Medal - WWII, Right
  8. World War II Victory Medal, Right
  9. Presidential Unit Citation, Right
  10. Charter Member of the South Dakota Air National Guard in 1946,
  11. "Mach Busters Club" Citation for exceeding the Speed of Sound in 1954 by North American Aviation Chairman of the Board James Howard Kindelberger and President John Leland Atwood

Notes

"Veterans Day Memorial" KSOO (AM) Radio Broadcast - Oscar C. Fladmark, Sr., (Father) Sioux Falls, South Dakota was a Radio Broadcaster/Business Owner who had served with General John Pershing's Allied Expeditionary Force, at the battles of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and St. Mihiel in 1917 to 1918 France during World War I gave Veterans Day Tribute.

"History of South Dakota", University of Nebraska Press - Pethryn (Hanson) Fladmark, (Mother) Sioux Falls, South Dakota was related to Dr. Ernest O. Lawrence, native of Canton, South Dakota, who was awarded a Noble Prize in 1939 for his invention of the Cyclotron which, in turn, made possible the Atom Bomb. The brilliant scientist, who died in 1958, had the unique distinction of having lawrencium, the 103rd known chemical element, named for him.

References

  1. ^ MAJOR GENERAL IRA C. EAKER - http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio_print.asp?bioID=5312&page=1.
  2. ^ "Oscar Fladmark, Jr." - Associated Press, Argus Leader, Sioux Falls Newspaper, April 12, 1943.
  3. ^ "Munich Area Pounded Again", "Heavies Score One-Two Punch", "Heavies Pound 5 Reich Cities", "Reich Battered In Double Blow By Air Again" - The Guardian, United Kingdom Newspaper, 1944.
  4. ^ "S.F. Flier Gains Air Battle Honors" - Associated Press, Argus Leader, Sioux Falls Newspaper, November 3, 1944.
  5. ^ "Home Still Beats Anything" - Sioux Valley News, Canton Newspaper, March 15, 1945.
  6. ^ "Air Squadron Here Linked With Iowa's" - Argus Leader, Sioux Falls Newspaper, Front Page, June 26, 1946.
  7. ^ COLONEL FREDERICK C. GRAY, JR. - http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio_print.asp?bioID=5609&page=1
  8. ^ THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE - Special Order Number 47, National Guard Regulation 20, 20 September, 1946.
  9. ^ MAJOR GENERAL FRANK F. EVEREST - http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio_print.asp?bioID=5377&page=1
  10. ^ "Back In The Saddle" - U.S. Air Force Photo, G-493-10, Headquarters Far East Air Forces, 22 February, 1951.
  11. ^ "Sioux Falls Flying Friends Meet: Col. Gray, Capt. Fladmark Reunited At Base In Korea" - Associated Press, Argus Leader, Sioux Falls Newspaper, March 11, 1951.
  12. ^ "Round Robin: Fladmark Receives DFC For Work In Korea" - Department of Defense, Argus Leader, Sioux Falls Newspaper, September 1951.
  13. ^ Mach Buster's Club, (Citation) North American Aviation, Inc., 1954.
  14. ^ "S.F. Pilot Killed In Arizona Car Crash: Victim Was Not Hurt In 164 Missions" - Associated Press, Argus Leader, Sioux Falls Newspaper, Front Page, July 27, 1955.
  15. ^ "Car Kills Three Airmen" - The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Newspaper, Front Page, July 27, 1955.
  16. ^ MAJOR GENERAL JARRED V. CRABB - http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio_print.asp?bioID=5097&page=1
  17. ^ "Major Fladmark Rites Tuesday" - Argus Leader, Sioux Falls Newspaper, August 2, 1955.

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