Olavi Puro

Olavi Puro
Nickname(s) Olli
Born 18 November 1918
Helsinki
Died 20 June 1999
Allegiance Finland Finland
Service/branch Finnish Air Force
Years of service 1940–1944
Rank Lieutenant
Unit LeLv 6, LeLv 24
Awards Freedom Cross, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Class
Other work Data processing director at a savings bank

Olavi Kauko Puro was born on 18 November 1918 in Helsinki and died on 20 June 1999. He was one of the top scoring aces in the Finnish Air Force with 36 confirmed victories.[1]

Biography

Puro served in Fighter Squadrons (LLv's): 6 and 24 during the Second World War. He became an ace in 1943. Puro was actively flying at the front almost during the whole war.

During his 401 combat missions, Olavi Puro scored 36 confirmed victories in I-153s, Brewster Buffaloes and Bf 109 Gs. Puro was relieved from service at the end of the war in 1944 and took up a job as a data processing director at a bank.

Victories

Aircraft Victories
I-153 2
Brewster Buffalo 5.5
Messerschmitt Bf 109G 28.5
Total 36

References

Notes

  1. Keskinen 1978, p. 24-27.

Bibliography

  • Keskinen, Kalevi; Stenman, Kari and Niska, Klaus. Hävittäjä-ässät (Finnish Fighter Aces) (in Finnish). Espoo, Finland: Tietoteas, 1978. ISBN 951-9035-37-0.
  • Stenman, Kari and Keskinen, Kalevi. Finnish Aces of World War 2 (Aircraft of the Aces 23). Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1998. ISBN 1-85532-783-X.

See also