Einar Axel Malmstrom
| Einar Axel Malmstrom | |
|---|---|
Colonel Einar A. Malmstrom
|
|
| Born |
July 14, 1907 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | August 21, 1954 Near Great Falls, Montana |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1929-1954 |
| Rank |
 Colonel |
Colonel Einar Axel Malmstrom (July 14, 1907 in Chicago, Illinois – August 21, 1954 near Great Falls, Montana) enlisted as a private in the Washington State National Guard on May 12, 1929, and was commissioned a second lieutenant on May 25, 1931.
Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls, Montana is named for him.
Born to Swedish immigrant parents in Chicago in 1907, he was called to active federal service at Parkwater in Washington State, on September 16, 1940, as a first lieutenant. In May 1943, he moved to the European Theater of Operations, and assumed command of the 356th Fighter Group at Martlesham Heath, England in November flying P-47 Thunderbolts.
On April 24, 1944, while flying his 58th combat mission, he was shot down over France and taken prisoner of war. During the year he spent as a prisoner, he was American commander of the south compound, POW Camp Stalag Luft 1, in Barth, Germany. For this duty, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
Returning to the U.S. in May 1945, he was assigned as air inspector for the 312th Base Unit, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, the Ninth Air Force XIX Tactical Air Command first at Biggs Field, Texas, later being moved to Greenville AAF, South Carolina.
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