Norman C. Skogstad

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lieutenant Norman C. Skogstad

Norman C. Skogstad (1921-2001) was a World War II Army Air Forces flying ace and a leading pilot in the MTO or Mediterranean Theater of Operations. He served in the Army Air Corps in World War II as a 1st Lieutenant with the 307th Fighter Squadron. He began his overseas service in June, 1944 as a 1st Lieutenant. By the end of the war, he achieved the rank of Captain and was the leader of a squadron.

As an ace, Skogstad had 12 confirmed kills, piloting a P-51. His first occurred August 7, 1944 in Blechhammer, Poland where he destroyed two enemy aircraft. On August 18, 1944 he destroyed two Me 109's over Ploesti, Romania. Ten days later in Austria, he destroyed one transport. In September 2, 1944, he was credited with destroying one Ju 52. On December 17, 1944, he was credited with destroying two FW-190's over Blechhammer, Poland. His last confirmed kills occurred on March 25, 1945 where he destroyed four FW-190's over Olomouc, Moravia.

From August 12 to August 16, 1944, he flew in support of Operation Dragoon, an Allied invasion of Southern France.

Norman C. Skogstad was awarded the ETO Ribbon with seven battle stars, the ATO anti-submarine patrol decoration, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with 17 clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He also earned the Presidential Unit and Silver Star for Gallantry.

[edit] After the War

Norman Skogstad died May 12, 2001 at the age of 80 and was buried in Washington Park East Cememtery, Indianapolis, Indiana. He was an accomplished trial attorney and practiced law for 35 years. He retired in 1982. He was a widower. His wife, Marilynn Carlson Skogstad, died August 30, 1999. He had 5 children: Leif, Britt, Sigrid Luther, Ingrid Dinsmore, and Lisa Goetz.