A native of North Dakota, Haugen entered the military as a Second Lieutenant in 1930 fresh out of the US Military Academy at West Point. In 1940, now Captain Haugen was amongst the first officers to volunteer for parachute infantry training and in November of that year, was assigned as commanding officer of Co. A, 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion. He was later promoted to Major and given command of a Battalion in the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, and then Lt. Colonel in command of the 505th. In 1942, Haugen was assigned as commander of the newly formed 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment and promoted to full Colonel. The 511th PIR was deployed to the Pacific in late 1944 and arrived in time for the Philippine campaigns. On February 11, 1945, Colonel Haugen was mortally wounded and succumbed from his injuries a few days later. Colonel Haugen's decorations include the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
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Col. Orin Haugen was wounded on 11 February 1945, at Parañaque when he was hit by a fragment from a 20mm anti-aircraft shell that the Japanese were firing at his troops. He was taken to the historic church in Parañaque that housed the bamboo organ where he was initially operated on by the regimental dentist. The surgeons were reportedly busy with other patients.

Col. Haugen was then evacuated to Mindoro Island. He then was to be flown from Mindoro to New Guineas for additional surgery. He died on 22 February 1945 from his wounds aboard the flight.

Contributor: steve s (47126287)

A native of North Dakota, Haugen entered the military as a Second Lieutenant in 1930 fresh out of the US Military Academy at West Point. In 1940, now Captain Haugen was amongst the first officers to volunteer for parachute infantry training and in November of that year, was assigned as commanding officer of Co. A, 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion. He was later promoted to Major and given command of a Battalion in the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, and then Lt. Colonel in command of the 505th. In 1942, Haugen was assigned as commander of the newly formed 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment and promoted to full Colonel. The 511th PIR was deployed to the Pacific in late 1944 and arrived in time for the Philippine campaigns. On February 11, 1945, Colonel Haugen was mortally wounded and succumbed from his injuries a few days later. Colonel Haugen's decorations include the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
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Col. Orin Haugen was wounded on 11 February 1945, at Parañaque when he was hit by a fragment from a 20mm anti-aircraft shell that the Japanese were firing at his troops. He was taken to the historic church in Parañaque that housed the bamboo organ where he was initially operated on by the regimental dentist. The surgeons were reportedly busy with other patients.

Col. Haugen was then evacuated to Mindoro Island. He then was to be flown from Mindoro to New Guineas for additional surgery. He died on 22 February 1945 from his wounds aboard the flight.

Contributor: steve s (47126287)