Ohlke, Harold W., 1913-1994

Harold W. Ohlke (b. Oct. 21, 1913-d. May 14, 1994), U.S. Air Force officer, completed pilot training in 1936 and received a commission in the Army Air Corps, Reserve the following year. He was first assigned to the 3rd Attack Group, serving in all the squadron officer type duties in addition to learning combat pilot techniques. He went to England at the outbreak of World War II, and in 1943 began to serve as assistant chief of staff, 8th Air Force. He later was deputy director of operations, 8th Air Force, and flew combat missions over Northern France and Central Europe. During the War he also served as deputy director of plans, U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe, helping to plan the air invasion of Germany. He was a member of the Yalta Conference party, accompanying President Roosevelt to Yalta in 1945. After the War, he was assigned as assistant executive to the secretary of the Air Force, and then returned to England as chief of the U.S. Air Force Intelligence Team from 1949 to 1952. After several assignments in the U.S., he became commander, 3rd Air Division, in Guam, responsible for all Strategic Air Command operations in the Pacific.