Gunnar Sønsteby

Infobox Military Person
name=Gunnar Fridtjof Thurmann Sønsteby


caption=
allegiance=Norway
rank=Captain
commands=Kompani Linge
unit=
family=
nickname= Kjakan, No.24 among others
lived= b. 11 January 1918
placeofbirth= Rjukan
currentlyresides=Norway
serviceyears=1940-?
laterwork=Author, War information work
battles=
awards="Incomplete list."

flagicon|Norway	War Cross with three SwordsThe War Cross: [http://www.webstaff.no/851000%20Medal%20lists/Krigskorset.htm The War Cross with swords] no icon]
flagicon|Norway	Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. OlavStOlav.com: [http://saintolav.com/statutesoftheorder.html The Statutes of the Order of St. Olav] en icon&no icon]
flagicon|United Kingdom	Distinguished Service Order
flagicon|United States	Presidential Medal of Freedom
flagicon|United States	The American-Scandinavian Foundation's Culture Award (awarded in 2001)Aftenposten Newspaper: [http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2191822.ece War hero turns 90] ]

portrayedby=

Gunnar Fridtjof Thurmann Sønsteby DSO (born 11 January 1918) is perhaps best known for being the most highly decorated person in Norway.

He was decorated for his work as a Norwegian resistance fighter during World War II. Known also as "Kjakan" ("The Chin") and "No. 24", he participated in the resistance effort from 1940. After saboteur training in England in 1943, he became head of the Norwegian Independent Company 1 group in Oslo.

Operating in occupied territory, and being high on the Gestapo list of wanted men, Sønsteby became a master of disguise. He operated under 30 to 40 different names and identities, and the Germans did not acquire his real name until near the end of the war. They were never able to catch him.

Post-war activities

In 2001 he was awarded the American-Scandinavian Foundation’s prestigious culture award.

Captain (Kaptein) Sønsteby is the only person awarded the War Cross with Three Swords. All three awards were made in 1946.

On 13 May 2007, a statue of him was erected on Solli Plass in Oslo. The statue was sculpted by Per Ung and portrays a 25-year-old Sønsteby standing next to his bicycle. The statue was unveiled by King Harald of Norway. [ [http://www.mil.no/start/article.jhtml?articleID=140524 "Levende legende på sokkel"] (2007) Norwegian Armed Forces no icon. Retrieved July 26, 2007.]

As Sønsteby celebrated his 90th birthday on 11 January 2008 he was honoured with reception at Akershus Fortress attended by King Harald V of Norway and the other members of the Royal Family.

References

External links

* [http://www.no24.no/?t=english No24 home page] no icon/en icon