Memorial Day Tribute

By Christopher Miller

It is more common than not that a cadet encounters a training accident that leads to their untimely death. That was the case with Aviation Cadet Leo C. Ohlsson of Renovo.

Leo and nine others lost their lives during a training accident in Selman, Louisiana “when two navigation training planes collided in mid-air five miles northwest of Farmerville and plummeted to earth in flames,” The News-Star of Monroe, Louisiana reported on January 25, 1944.

“The planes dropped into a wooded section of Union parish (county) and exploded, killing all occupants, according to the public relations officer at Selman field. The almost impenetrable scene of the accident impeded immediate investigation by a crew which was sent from the local field, and as a result only seven of the men have yet been positively identified.”

Men from Iowa, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York were among the identified, Ohlsson included.

Ohlsson was completing studies to be a navigator and was expecting to get his wings and Army Air Force commission.

He enlisted in the Army Air Force on March 11, 1943 and was a 1942 graduate of Lock Haven High School. Prior to going to war, he was employed at the P.R.R. shops in Renovo.

“Funeral of Cadet Leo Ohlsson Sunday PM” read a headline in the Renovo Record on February 1, 1944.

“A large number of friends was present Sunday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Laubscher in Lockport to pay their final respects to Aviation Cadet Leo C. Ohlsson, 20, grandson of the Laubschers, who was killed last Monday in an air crash of two bombers near Selman Field, La.,” the paper reported. “His body was accompanied by Aviation Cadet Leland Miles of Baltimore, his roommate at Selman Field.”

Military rites were conducted at the grave by the American Legion. Leo was buried in Dunnstown Cemetery.

We remember Aviation Cadet Leo C. Ohlsson.

*This is three of five Memorial Day tributes. A new one will publish each week in May.