Norris Orville Olson

LIEUTENANT COLONEL NORRIS ORVILLE "OLE" OLSON
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron 3

Norris Orville "Ole" Olson was raised on the family farm homesteaded by his two grandfathers just west of Brocket, North Dakota. Raised in the heartland by his parents, Jacob and Marie Olson, Norris demonstrated early intellectual promise and leadership, graduating as the valedictorian of his senior class at Brocket High School in 1954.

After attending North Dakota State University in Fargo for a year, Norris received a Senatorial appointment to the newly established United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. As a member of USAFA’s pioneer Class of 1959, "Ole" stood out academically, militarily, athletically, and personally—embodying the Academy motto "Excellence in all we do." Norris competed on the cadet soccer team and actively participated in the Photo Club.

Following his graduation in 1959, Norris married "the love of his life," Jean Lierbo. He completed pilot training at Moore Air Base and Vance Air Force Base before embarking on a distinguished 29-year career in military aviation.

During the Vietnam War, Lt. Col. Olson volunteered for combat duty in 1965. Assigned as a B-57 pilot with the 13th Bomb Squadron operating out of Clark Air Base and Danang, he flew 165 combat missions. For his extraordinary courage under fire and outstanding aerial achievements, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism alongside 10 Air Medals.

Upon returning to the United States, Olson transitioned to heavy bombers as a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft commander with the 320th Bomb Wing at Mather Air Force Base, California. Recognizing his analytical capabilities, the Air Force selected him for advanced education at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering in 1973.

He subsequently served as Chief of Reliability Engineering at Sacramento Air Logistics Center (McClellan AFB) before completing Air Command and Staff College. Olson concluded his Air Force career with the 319th Bomb Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, serving in Alert Force Management and later as Chief of Operations Plans (Base Operational War Planner). During his tenure in North Dakota, his operational leadership earned recognition across Air Force Association and command circles.

Lt. Col. Olson retired from active duty in 1984. He transitioned into a second career as a financial planner for military families with USPA (later First Command), retiring fully in 1994.

In retirement, Norris remained deeply involved in his community and hobbies. He was an avid competitive trap shooter, hunter, fisherman, and family genealogist. His volunteer work extended to the Kiwanis, Meals on Wheels, Sons of Norway, the Grand Forks Gun Club, and the 13th Bomb Squadron Association.

Norris passed away on February 14, 2025, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Jean Olson; son Marc; daughter Tara; six grandchildren; and extended family. He was preceded in death by his son, Capt. Jeffry Jon Olson (USAFA Class of 1986).

EDUCATION

Year Institution / Degree
1954 Brocket High School (Valedictorian)
1954–1955 North Dakota State University (Student)
1959 Bachelor of Science, United States Air Force Academy (Class of 1959)
1973 Master of Science in Systems Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)
1974 Air Command and Staff College

MEDALS AND AWARDS

Medal / Award Count
Distinguished Flying Cross (for Heroism) 1
Meritorious Service Medal 2
Air Medal 10
Air Force Commendation Medal 3

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

Years Duty / Role Unit & Location
1959–1960 Student, Pilot Training Moore AB / Vance AFB
1961–1965 Pilot 9th Bomb Wing, Mountain Home AFB, ID
1965–1967 B-57 Combat Pilot (165 Missions) 13th Bomb Squadron, Clark AB (PI) / Danang
1967–1971 B-52 Aircraft Commander / Pilot 320th Bomb Wing, Mather AFB, CA
1971–1973 AFIT Student (MS Systems Engineering) Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1973–1974 Chief, Reliability Engineering SMALC, McClellan AFB, CA
1974 Student Air Command and Staff College
1977–1978 Alert Force Management 319th Bomb Wing, Grand Forks AFB, ND
1978–1984 Chief, Operations Plans (Operational War Planner) 319th Bomb Wing, Grand Forks AFB, ND