On February 1 1943 Sgt Olmstead was the assistant radio operator and left waist gunner on B-17E #41-9151, assigned to the 13th Army Air Force, 11th Bombardment Group, 42nd Bombardment Squadron. They were flying from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal as part of a nine plane mission to bomb Japanese shipping. After successfully bombing a ship in Tonolei Harbor Bougainville they turned east towards Choiseul Island when they came under heavy attack from fifteen to twenty-five Zero fighter planes. Olmstead's plane was shot down and the crew declared missing in action. On January 11 1946 the Army officially declared them dead.
Because his remains were never recovered, Olmstead's name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart.
He was the son of James Henry Olmstead and Mary Elizabeth (Travis) Olmstead.
Because his remains were never recovered, Olmstead's name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart.
He was the son of James Henry Olmstead and Mary Elizabeth (Travis) Olmstead.
On February 1 1943 Sgt Olmstead was the assistant radio operator and left waist gunner on B-17E #41-9151, assigned to the 13th Army Air Force, 11th Bombardment Group, 42nd Bombardment Squadron. They were flying from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal as part of a nine plane mission to bomb Japanese shipping. After successfully bombing a ship in Tonolei Harbor Bougainville they turned east towards Choiseul Island when they came under heavy attack from fifteen to twenty-five Zero fighter planes. Olmstead's plane was shot down and the crew declared missing in action. On January 11 1946 the Army officially declared them dead.
Because his remains were never recovered, Olmstead's name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart.
He was the son of James Henry Olmstead and Mary Elizabeth (Travis) Olmstead.
Because his remains were never recovered, Olmstead's name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart.
He was the son of James Henry Olmstead and Mary Elizabeth (Travis) Olmstead.
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