| Charles Rudolph d'Olive | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Charlie |
| Born | 10 July 1896 Suggsville, Alabama, USA |
| Died | 20 July 1974 Waterloo, Iowa, USA |
| Vine Street Hills Cemetery | Cincinnati, Ohio, USA |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | Flying service |
| Years of service | 1917 - 1918 |
| Rank | First lieutenant |
| Unit | 93d Aero Squadron, 141st Aero Squadron |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross |
First Lieutenant Charles Rudolph d'Olive was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1] He was the last World War I aviator to be declared an ace, in 1963.
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Although born in Alabama, d'Olive later lived in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He enlisted into aviation service in Memphis during Bloody April 1917. He trained in France, and was posted to the 93d Aero Squadron on 23 August 1918[2] as a Spad XIII pilot. He scored the new unit's first victory on 12 September. The following day, he shot down three Fokker D.VIIs, two in conjunction with George W. Furlow; it was an exploit that earned d'Olive the Distinguished Service Cross. He scored once more, on 18 October 1918.[3] Ten days later, he was transferred to the 141st Aero Squadron as a Flight Commander.
When d'Olive returned home, he went into business. For reasons that remain murky, d'Olive would not be officially recognized as an ace until 1963. He died of cancer on 20 July 1974.[4]
A number of historic items and documents from d'Olive's military service are on display at the 93d Bomb Squadron offices at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.[5]
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles Rudolph d'Olive, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Benoit, France, September 12, 1918, First Lieutenant D'Olive, in conjunction with another American pilot, engaged and fought five enemy planes. Outnumbered and fighting against tremendous odds, he shot down three enemy planes and outfought the entire enemy formation.[6]