Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
OLESON, Clifton P.: Difference between revisions
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OLESON, Clifton P. (Oley). (McGregor, IA--Dubuque, IA, Feb. 13, 1969). Dubuque's first municipal [[AIRPORT]] manager. Oleson, at fourteen, was the world's youngest pilot when he soloed a Curtiss flying boat and earned license No. 67 in the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. While still a teenager, Oleson toured the nation as a stunt pilot and barnstormer. He once had to bail out of a burning plane with his pants on fire. | [[Image:OLESON.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Leo Link, a Dubuque photographer, took this picture of C. P Oleson performing one of the stunts during the years he was with a flying circus that he helped organize. Telegraph Herald, June 13, 1962. Image courtesy: DFiane Harris]]OLESON, Clifton P. (Oley). (McGregor, IA--Dubuque, IA, Feb. 13, 1969). Dubuque's first municipal [[AIRPORT]] manager. Oleson, at fourteen, was the world's youngest pilot when he soloed a Curtiss flying boat and earned license No. 67 in the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. While still a teenager, Oleson toured the nation as a stunt pilot and barnstormer. He once had to bail out of a burning plane with his pants on fire. | ||
In 1921 Oleson was one of the first hired pilots to fly the United States mail when the Postal Service began testing the practicality of airmail delivery. During World War II, he was placed in charge of all Lend-Lease airplanes sent to the British in North Africa. | In 1921 Oleson was one of the first hired pilots to fly the United States mail when the Postal Service began testing the practicality of airmail delivery. During World War II, he was placed in charge of all Lend-Lease airplanes sent to the British in North Africa. | ||
Revision as of 17:28, 28 June 2012
OLESON, Clifton P. (Oley). (McGregor, IA--Dubuque, IA, Feb. 13, 1969). Dubuque's first municipal AIRPORT manager. Oleson, at fourteen, was the world's youngest pilot when he soloed a Curtiss flying boat and earned license No. 67 in the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. While still a teenager, Oleson toured the nation as a stunt pilot and barnstormer. He once had to bail out of a burning plane with his pants on fire.
In 1921 Oleson was one of the first hired pilots to fly the United States mail when the Postal Service began testing the practicality of airmail delivery. During World War II, he was placed in charge of all Lend-Lease airplanes sent to the British in North Africa.
Oleson served as airport manager from 1948 until 1951. As secretary of the DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Oleson recorded interviews with pioneer Dubuque residents. He was compiling a history of Iowa aviation for the Iowa Aeronautics Commission at the time of his death.