Rolf Slen collection

Collection — Container: Single Folder Collections - 1999 Box 13 (99.0280-99.0299), Folder: 99.0281 - Folder 1

Identifier: 99.0281

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of an oral history and the three brief memoirs of Rolf Slen who served as a navigator with the 494th Bomb Squadron, 7th Air Force, in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

Dates

1924-1999
Other: Date accessioned: 1999-06-11

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to the public.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical / Historical

Rolf O. Slen was born in Madison, Minnesota on May 28, 1924. After completing one semester at St. Olaf College, he volunteered for the Army Air Force and reported to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri in 1943. Trained as a navigator, Slen joined the crew of B-24 at Davis-Monthan Field near Tuscon, Arizona. His crew consisted of Richard (Dick) Bennett, Radio Operator, Lee Colvin Flight Engineer, Alfred (Al) Emery, Nose Gunner, Gilbert (Gil) Higgenbotham, Ball Turret Gunner, Gerald (Al) Holloway, Ball Turret Gunner, Francis (Fritz) Johnson, Co-Pilot, Vito (Dave) Nacci, Bombardier, Rex Reeves, Tail Gunner, and Emil Turek, Pilot. Slen and his fellow crew members were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for their participation on mission on July 28, 1945 that led to the sinking of the Japanese battleship emph render='italic'>Haruna

Extent

1 folders (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

Transferred from the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience to FSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives in July 2022.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Rolf Slen

Subjects

Lewis, John L. (John Llewellyn), 1880-1969 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972 Subject Source: Lcnaf
494th Bombardment Group (H) Association Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Angaur Island (Palau) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
B-24 (Bomber) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Bombing, Aerial--Japan Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Camp McCoy (Wis.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Clark Field (Philippines) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Distinguished Flying Cross (Medal) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Guam--History, Military Subject Source: Local sources
Harlingen Army Air Field (Tex.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Hiroshima-shi (Japan)--History--Bombardment, 1945 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Jefferson Barracks (Saint Louis, Mo.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Leyte Island (Philippines) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
MacArthur, Douglas, 1880-1964 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Madison (Minn.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Malaria--Prevention. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Medicine, Military Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Mountain Home Air Force Base (Idaho) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Navigation (Aeronautics) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Palau Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), Attack on, 1941 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Popular music. Subject Source: Lcnaf
Prisoners of war--Japan Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Rockhurst College Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
St. Olaf College Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Wendover (Utah) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Japan--Okinawa Island Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Philippines--Corregidor Island Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Netherlands Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Religious aspects Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Veterans Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings