Earl Kenneth Olsen

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Earl Kenneth Olsen, born 2 July 1903 in Brooklyn, New York, was a member of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1926.

Contents 1 Navy career 2 Awarded the Navy Cross 3 Namesake 4 References

[edit] Navy career

After varied duty afloat and ashore, he was ordered to USS Pensacola (CA-24) on 9 February 1939. Lieutenant Commander Olsen was serving as engineering officer during the night Battle of Tassafaronga, off Guadalcanal, 30 November-1 December 1942. When a torpedo hit flooded the engine room, he coolly and efficiently directed evacuation of survivors. Attempting to carry another officer to safety, he himself succumbed to smoke and toxic gases.

[edit] Awarded the Navy Cross

Lieutenant Commander Olsen was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

[edit] Namesake

USS Earl K. Olsen (DE-765) was named in his honor. The ship was launched 13 February 1944 by Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Inc., Tampa, Florida; sponsored by Mrs. H. E. Olsen, mother of Lieutenant Commander Olsen; and commissioned 10 April 1944.

[edit] References

This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

• http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e1/earl_k_olsen.htm Earl K. Olsen]