During World War I, Bernt Balchen served in the French Foreign Legion, the Royal Norwegian Army, and was wounded while serving with the Finnish Army during the Finnish Civil War in 1918. Balchen joined the Royal Norwegian Naval Air Service in 1921 and was commissioned as a Naval Aviator in 1924, where he served as a test pilot and arctic explorer. He was the pilot on the trans-Atlantic flight in the America in 1927, and was the pilot for the first aircraft flight over the South Pole with the Byrd Antarctic Expedition in 1929. He became a U.S. Citizen and served with the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He retired as a U.S. Air Force Colonel. He was awarded the Harman Trophy in 1953, was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1973, and became the only non-Canadian enshrined into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame in 1974.
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Awards Received
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 68 (November 7, 1956)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Colonel Bernt Balchen (AFSN: 23100A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, culminating as Commanding Officer of the 10th Rescue Squadron in Alaska. Colonel Balchen flew a C-54 from Fairbanks over the North Pole to Oslo, thereby becoming the first to pilot a plane over both poles. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Balchen culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Soldier’s Medal
War Department General Orders No. 6 (February 8, 194(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Colonel Bernt Balchen (AFSN: 23100A), United States Air Force, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States in 1942. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Balchen, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Soldier’s Medal
War Department General Orders No. 6 (February 8, 1943)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Soldier’s Medal to Lieutenant Colonel Bernt Balchen (AFSN: 23100A), United States Air Force, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States during World War II. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Balchen, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.