Olsen graduated from the
United States Coast Guard Academy in 1928. He was then stationed aboard the
USCGC Mendota (WHEC-69), the
USRC Seminole and the
USS Ericsson (DD-56). In 1932, Olsen completed aviation training at
Naval Air Station Pensacola. From 1934 to 1936, he commanded
Coast Guard Air Station Miami. In 1938, Olsen was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for flying a critically ill
United States Army officer approximately 300 miles during a storm, saving the officer's life. Later, he attended the
Naval Postgraduate School. During
World War II, Olsen commanded the
Coast Guard Air Station St. Petersburg before serving in the
Pacific Theater of Operations. Awards he received for his service during the war include the
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the
American Defense Service Medal, the
American Campaign Medal and the
World War II Victory Medal. After the war, he served as Chief of the Aviation Division of the Coast Guard from 1945 to 1946. From there, he served as Commandant of the Cadets at the Coast Guard Academy. Additionally, Olsen commanded the
USCGC Eagle (WIX-327). During the
Korean War, Olsen again served as Chief of the Aviation Division. For this, he received the
National Defense Service Medal. Olsen retired from the Coast Guard in 1963. ==References==