My good friend Dr. Owen Larson flew his final mission on September 19, 2007 in Sister Bay, Wisconsin. Owen was a wonderful human being. He gave me so much help when I began research for my first book. Like most WWII vets, he insisted he had done nothing special. Well, I beg to differ. Just scroll down and look at how many missions Owen flew in a B-17 over enemy territory---each mission was tough in its own way--and you'll see he was a hero. Missions to places like Berlin and Warsaw--35 in all--including one of the Shuttle Missions. Owen send me this photo many years ago of himself outside his airplane, "I'll Be Around". That's why I use this plane as my avatar on the site.Owen, you were a great man. I miss you. Our prayers are with your wife in her time of mourning. Have a safe flight.
The following is Owen's Obituary, which I received in the mail today from his wife.
Larson, Owen E., M.D.
Owen Earl Larson, 87, Sister Bay, ended a courageous battle with cancer on September 19th at his home surrounded by Alice, his wife of 62 years, and their children. Owen was born in Green Bay on Aug. 21, 1921, to Dwayne and Elvira Larson.Owen moved to Appleton when he was in junior high school and graduated from Appleton High School in 1939. He then attended Marquette University until he suspended his studies in 1941 to join the U.S. Air Force. Owen was a bombardier and navigator with the 8th Air Force and flew 35 missions out of England during World War II. He remained in the Air Force Reserve until 1950, when he retired as a 1st Lieutenant. After returning from the war, Owen went back to Marquette University to complete pre-med and medical school on the GI bill, graduating from Marquette Medical School in 1950. He did a rotating internship at Harper Hospital in Detroit, and a partial surgical residency at the VA hospital in Milwaukee. He practiced medicine in Clintonville, Wis., for 12 years and then Theda Clark in Neenah until he returned to Marquette to do a residency in Anesthesiology. Dr. Larson specialized in Anesthesia at Theda Clark until he retired from medicine in 1986. He and Alice then moved to Sister Bay. Owen loved to learn new things. He thoroughly enjoyed becoming proficient at such endeavors as operating a HAM Radio, (call letters K9LWG), playing the piano and the guitar, photography, and painting stunning portraits and landscapes of those he loved, and the places he loved. During his life he was an active participant in The Benevolent Order of the Elks, The American Legion, Veteran's of Foreign Wars, and The Knights of Columbus. He also served as Chief of the Department of Anesthesiology at Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah and was a 50 year member of the State Medical Society. Owen will be remembered for many things. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. In his later years, he was devoted to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, never missing a birthday or special event in any of their lives. Owen's legacy will be long and fruitful, and will continue to blossom for generations to come in his daughters and sons, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and all whose lives he touched, who loved him and will remember him always.
Missions of 1st Lt Owen E.J. Larson
from 100th BG website (compiled by Mike Faley)
1. 11/08/44 Villacoublay
2. 13/08/44 Nantes
3. 14/08/44 Ludwigshaven
4. 24/08/44 Ruhland
5. 25/08/44 Politz
6. 26/08/44 Brest
7. 27/08/44 BERLIN
8. 1/09/44 Mainz
9. 3/09/44 Brest
10. 5/09/44 Stuttgart
11. 13/09/44 Sindelfinger
12. 18/09/44 Warsaw (Second Russian Shuttle)
13. 19/09/44 Szolnok
14. 25/09/44 Ludwigshaven
15. 27/09/44 Mainz
16. 2/10/44 Kassel
17. 3/10/44 Nurnburg
18. 5/10/44 Handorf
19. 6/10/44 BERLIN
20. 7/10/44 Bohlen
21. 12/10/44 Bremen
22. 17/10/44 Cologne
23. 22/10/44 Munster
24. 5/11/44 Ludwigshaven
25. 9/11/44 Saarbrucken
26. 10/11/44 Mainz
27. 21/11/44 Osnabruck
28. 26/11/44 Hamm29.
29/11/44 Hamm
30. 30/11/44 Merseburg
31. 2/12/44 Coblenz
32. 12/12/44 Coblenz
33. 18/12/44 Mainz
34. 24/12/44 Biblis
35. 25/12/44 Kaiserlautern
-end-
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